PITTSBURGH (Aug. 5, 2025) – Vocelli Pizza is proud to announce a new community initiative in partnership with The Jerome Bettis “Bus Stops Here” Foundation – Pizza with Purpose – a collaboration grounded in shared values of community, equity and opportunity.

Founded in 1997 by Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, The Jerome Bettis “Bus Stops Here” Foundation is committed to empowering underserved youth through education, mentorship and digital literacy.

“When I started The Bus Stops Here Foundation, the goal was simple: to give kids a chance – an opportunity to dream, to learn and to thrive,” said Bettis. “Partnering with Vocelli Pizza brings that mission into more homes, neighborhoods and futures.”

The Jerome Bettis “Bus Stops Here” Foundation provides computer science education to K-8 students as well as digital literacy and business development programs for parents in under-resourced areas of Pittsburgh. Proceeds from Pizza with Purpose will directly support the Foundation’s flagship initiative, Jerome Bettis’ CyberBus, helping to bridge the digital divide and close the opportunity gap for local youth in Pittsburgh and beyond.

In addition to donations, Vocelli Pizza team members will volunteer their time to engage with students and community members, delivering not only delicious, fresh pizza, but also meaningful impact.

“This partnership is truly exciting for Vocelli,” said CEO Toni Bianco. “As a brand born and bred in Pittsburgh, it’s an honor to support former Pittsburgh Steeler and Superbowl Champion, Jerome Bettis and the incredible work his ”Bus Stops Here” Foundation is doing. From our in-store fundraising efforts, where we’ll match customer donations, to our involvement in their annual Christmas Drive and other community events, we’re proud to stand beside The Jerome Bettis “Bus Stops Here” Foundation to help fuel a brighter future.”

Vocelli Pizza is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has over 80 locations offering pizza and other Italian foods for carryout and delivery. The company has realized franchise growth from its award-winning product, low start-up costs and a national marketing program. Vocelli Pizza offers single and multi-unit development packages to qualified franchisees.

SOURCE: Vocelli Pizza

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“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

– Helen Keller

I mentioned in last month’s column that it is important to give back to the communities that support us. Pizzerias can do that in a lot of unique ways. We frequently get asked for donations by different organizations and groups. Our goal is to help anyone who asks in any way we can. I am sure every pizzeria has been asked to donate gift cards. I personally think a gift basket with a gift certificate in it makes a much better statement, if done correctly. The basket should be a showstopper that sticks out on a table with other baskets. We make an estimated 8-10 baskets per week. It is a good opportunity not just to give back but also to get our name out there in a grassroots way.

One of the most unique ways we have been able to give back is to make our limited-time offer centered around a nonprofit group with a giving component attached to it. For example, we ran a 60-day campaign called Kora’s Strong Pizza. We had reached out to the Make-a-Wish foundation and asked them ways we could help provide wishes to kids in need. Our goal was to be able to provide for two wishes, which cost about $5,000 per wish. We asked if there were any kids who had a culinary wish. They told us that they had a child named Kora who already had received her wish of swimming with dolphins, but she considered herself a foodie and loved pizza. Kora was diagnosed with cystinosis, a rare genetic disease. We had 7-year-old Kora come in and design a pizza for our limited-time offer. We also reached out to the Pittsburgh Steelers and asked if they had any players looking for community outreach projects.

The Steelers told us that Larry Ogunjobi, their defensive tackle, was new to the team and was looking for ways to get involved with the community. We had both Larry and Kora come in, and we filmed the whole experience. Kora told us her favorite things to eat, then she and Larry came up with a pizza that ultimately consisted of a garlic butter sauce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted chicken, mozzarella and feta cheeses finished with a balsamic drizzle. Quite the palate for a 7-year-old!! We offered the pizza for $24 for a large and gave $10 to Make-A-Wish for every pizza sold.

In getting to know Kora and her family, we discovered that Kora’s mom had written a children’s book inspired by Kora called, “I Am Kora Strong.” Along with selling Kora’s pizza and donating $10 from every one sold, we also bought the books off Amazon and donated those sales back to Make-A-Wish as well. In two months, we exceeded our goal of raising $10,000 and providing two wishes to Make-A-Wish! We also delivered 20 pizzas to Kora’s elementary school, where she felt like a rockstar for the day. She gladly carried some pizzas to the rooms of the other students. This was a widely successful campaign!

In the end, yes, we are just pizza makers – but let’s not forget we can make the world a better place, one slice at a time. Next month, I will tell the story of the campaign that birthed the idea of giving back some of the proceeds.

Nick Bogacz is the founder and president of Caliente Pizza & Draft House in Pittsburgh. Instagram: @caliente_pizza

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