When Enrico Aguila, owner of Uncle Rico’s Pizza in Fort Myers, Florida, and a member of PMQ’s U.S. Pizza Team, isn’t serving championship-level pies to his guests, he and his wife Cira are serving their community in ways that most pizzeria owners wouldn’t even think about. Case in point: They recently stepped up to help federal TSA workers by offering free pizzas to those showing a valid TSA badge.
According to WINK News, the offer was made to thank workers who have been forced to continue doing their jobs without pay during the partial government shutdown.
WINK News made clear that this kind of community support is nothing new for Aguila. Uncle Rico’s has already built a reputation for showing up locally.
“We’re a resilient community,” Enrico told WINK. “I want to start a chain [of support for TSA workers] right now. Until they start getting their paychecks back, let’s all help TSA workers. They really need us right now.”
TSA workers have been taking advantage of the offer, Cira said. “They’re grateful, and they’re happy because they’re living in uncertain times.”
TSA employees around the country have been forced to either work without a paycheck or, in some cases, to call in sick while they look for other ways to pay their bills and support their families.
For those who follow the U.S. Pizza Team, Aguila’s name may already ring a bell. He has made noise on the competition side, earning 3rd place in the Southeast for Best Cheese Slice at the recent International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas. He also won first place in the traditional cheese pizza category at the 2024 Galbani Professional Pizza Cup in Orlando.
