In honor of National Kindness Month, Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen has launched its second-annual Kindness Challenge, in partnership with the Kenneth Anthony Spinato Foundation and raising funds for St. Vincent de Paul. The challenge begins in September and runs through October.
Beginning Sept. 1, Kindness Bags–full of toiletries, snacks, water, socks, and other items–will be found at each of Spinato’s six restaurants. Spinato’s guests are then encouraged to purchase the Kindness Bags for $5 and distribute them to someone in need. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul. (Last year, Spinato’s guests distributed 600 Kindness Bags.) Plus, Spinato’s will gift a free garlic cheesy bread card to the first 100 guests who purchase a Kindness Bag, take a photo with it, and tag @spinatospizza, using the hashtag #spinatoskindnesschallenge.
This year’s Kindness Challenge has grown to include the support of other businesses, including Gold Sponsors Greco & Sons, One Hope, Affinity Sales Food Brokerage and Pepsi.
In addition, on Oct. 7, Spinato’s will make fresh pizza in St. Vincent de Paul’s kitchen and serve it to the guests of St. Vincent de Paul’s Family Dining Room. St. Vincent de Paul has been serving local communities since 1946, offering programs for people experiencing homelessness. Services include medical and dental care for uninsured patients, charity dining rooms that serve thousands each day, food boxes for hungry families, and thrift stores throughout the region.
“There are so many factors that contribute to homelessness. Losing a job, rent increases, medical bills, substance abuse challenges…thank goodness St. Vincent de Paul is doing the critical work to feed, clothe, house, and heal individuals and families in our community who have nowhere else to turn for help,” says Jaime Spinato, Spinato’s co-owner and director of community outreach, in a press release. “We are so grateful to our wonderful guests who make a difference through a small, compassionate act of kindness. And we are thrilled that we can expand this fundraiser through the support of our generous sponsors.”
Spinato’s has locations in Tempe, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, and Phoenix and was recently named the Official Pizza of the Arizona Cardinals.
For more information, visit www.spinatospizzeria.com.