Boston-based Sal’s Pizza is supporting Best Buddies International through a round-up campaign at participating locations, running April through May 31. At participating Sal’s Pizza locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, guests can choose to round up their total at checkout, with the additional funds directly supporting Best Buddies.
The organization’s mission is to create inclusive opportunities and meaningful connections for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Customers will have the option to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar or donate $1, $3 or $5 when placing their order.
“This initiative is especially meaningful to all of us at Sal’s,” says Sal Lupoli Jr., growth and strategy director for Sal’s Pizza. “It reflects our longstanding commitment to the communities we serve and our belief in creating spaces where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. From in-store fundraising to on-the-ground event support, we’re proud to stand alongside Best Buddies in advancing inclusion and building a more connected, inclusive world.”
This initiative is available in-store and online at participating Sal’s Pizza locations in Massachusetts—Boston (Tremont Street and Brookline Avenue), Billerica, Chelmsford, Gloucester, Lawrence, Littleton, Plymouth and Tewksbury—and New Hampshire, in Derry, Laconia, Manchester, Milford, New Hampton and Salem. Donations will help fund friendship programs, leadership development initiatives, community events, inclusive activations and more for Best Buddies.
“We’re proud to partner with Sal’s Pizza to grow Best Buddies programs supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Patrick Shaughnessy, vice president of Best Buddies. “Given Sal and the Lupoli family’s personal connection to our mission, this is a natural partnership that will have a huge impact in the communities we both serve.”
On April 7, Sal’s Pizza participated in a special moment at Fenway Park when Chris Harrington, a Best Buddies ambassador, and Sal Lupoli Jr. were featured during the ceremonial first pitch to celebrate their decades-long friendship, which was chronicled by WCVB-TV.
Sal’s Pizza will continue its support on May 30 by providing food trucks at the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, helping fuel participants and celebrate the impact of the Best Buddies community.
A family-owned and -operated business since 1990, Sal’s Pizza started when Lupoli Jr. opened his first pizza store in Salem, New Hampshire. Now with 130 locations, it’s known for being home to the 19”, three-pound pizza. The brand also offers a retail line of pizzas and sauces that can be found in grocery stores, along with hundreds of K-12 schools and universities nationwide.
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, Best Buddies’ programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 41 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 1.5 million people with and without disabilities around the world.
