The Small Firm Pizza Party

It is no secret many people in our community are hungry.  The disruption in SNAP benefits is affecting those living on the edge of poverty.  That said, many who receive food assistance are also college students, the disabled, the elderly, and children under the age of 18.  And they need help.  I, personally, have never experienced the despair of walking into an empty kitchen.  On the occasion when I mutter there’s nothing to eat, it’s usually because I’m not a fan of what’s on the shelf.  That’s not exactly what the others are talking about.  

Last week, we tried to put a small dent in the fight against hunger by throwing a Pizza Party at a local community center on the east side of Buffalo.  In response to a friend who works at the community center, I organized a party to help the neighborhood.  I informed my friend Ruby that we’d bring it - and we did. 10 extra-large sheet pizzas from Just Pizza (cheese and pepperoni), 300 drinks (pop, juice, & mini-water bottles), trays of desserts, and lots of entertainment. 

Our random Facebook post for music brought a wonderful young DJ from Grand Island.  She donated two hours of time!  Our talented paralegal, Maria, brought her Face Painting - a book of artwork, a spectrum of colorful paints, and paint brushes.  Maria painted up the happy faces of almost two dozen community center children.  And last, a generous pain management vendor visiting from Long Island timely contributed five delicious trays of Wegmans cookies (originally intended as gifts for her customers).  

Together, we fed a group of more than 150 children and adults.  One sweet lady walked more than a mile for a few slices of pizza to bring back to her children.  All of the children and adults, including my friends Pastor Al and Ruby, appreciated our effort.  Of course, we loved meeting the kids and watching the pizza slowly disappear.  We are grateful for the ability and opportunity to serve a community in need.  

Shout out to our vendors from this wonderful event:

Maria Rose Face Painting

Just Pizza

Interventional Pain Management

Wegmans

Rock Me Mama Entertainment