LaRosa’s Family Pizzerias, with 65 stores in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, created a Team Member Relief Fund that has grown to more than $300,000 in less than three weeks, the company announced.
LaRosa’s nearly 4,000 team members have all been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and related restaurant closures in one way or another. To help out, the LaRosa Family and their company launched the relief fund with a $100,000 gift. To add to the fund, LaRosa’s is using its longstanding Buddy Card program along with cash donations and a dollar-for-dollar match from the LaRosa family.
The Team Member Relief Fund will directly support all LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria employees affected by the pandemic and will continue until LaRosa’s dining rooms open again, the company said.
“It’s overwhelming to see how our community has embraced this effort,” said LaRosa’s CEO Michael LaRosa. “We’ve raised so much in such a short time. Our team members are humbled by this show of support.”
All proceeds from LaRosa’s $10 Buddy Cards, offered for sale in its pizzerias and online, will go to the Relief Fund. The Buddy Card is a popular promotion that has helped hundreds of groups and organizations raise funds over the past nearly 30 years. It features 14 “buy one large pizza and get a large cheese pizza free” offers for pickup and dine-in and is valid for a year.
Buddy Card sales have raised more than $90,000 so far, the company reports.
Guests and community members can buy Buddy Cards at LaRosa’s pizzerias in person or add a Buddy Card to an order when using the LaRosa’s app or placing a phone order. LaRosa’s will even bring a newly purchased card along with a delivery order. Guests who would like to simply donate to the Team Member Relief Fund can donate directly through the app, by calling or online.
LaRosa’s is also offering an extra Buddy Card benefit to help guests get through these unprecedented times. When guests use any active Buddy Card—whether newly purchased or months old—just like they usually do, LaRosa’s will not deduct any offers from the Buddy Card.
