In true U.S. Pizza Team style, members recently rolled into Black Mountain, North Carolina, to lend a helping hand (and some hot slices) to first responders and residents reeling from a devastating hurricane. Orchestrated by Mike Pitera, owner of Pizza A Modo Mio in Charleston, South Carolina, the USPT mobilized like only they could—part logistical squad, part pizza party.
Pitera, ever the mastermind, called on his fellow team members to join the effort. Nicholas Harper of Peace of Pie on Hartwell, in Fair Play, South Carolina, alongside his wife Emily, answered the call and made their way to Black Mountain, joined by PMQ’s Brian Hernandez. Meanwhile, other team members dug into their wallets, donating funds that went toward supplies for those impacted.
As the fog lifted over this resilient town, the master pizzaioli rolled up to the Black Mountain Fire Department with a U-Haul packed full of essential goods, from peanut butter to paper towels, all gathered with the help of patrons in Charleston and Fairplay. The local church, transformed into a veritable labyrinth of donated goods, served as ground zero for distribution.
Residents, first responders and volunteers, though weary, were in remarkable spirits. There was gratitude in every handshake, and a few hearty souls even said they hadn’t had pizza—or even a hot meal—in weeks. For many, these donated pizzas were more than just food; they brought comfort, warmth and a small taste of normalcy. As Black Mountain Chief of Police Steve Parker said, “Words can’t express what you and your guys are doing for this community and first responders. Thank you so much for being here.”
The town itself, a small mountain community with a big heart, had already been serving as a central hub for donation drops and rescue coordination. Despite their own challenges, Black Mountain’s residents rallied around one another, embracing their town’s new role as a command center for the surrounding areas in need. “What you guys did today brought the morale up for this community,” local resident John Coffey said. “This neighborhood needed a sense of normalcy, and you brought that. Thank you.”
The USPT’s quick response underscores the need for every business, especially pizzerias, to have a disaster response plan. Not only can pizzerias serve as immediate sources of food and comfort in crisis situations, but simple actions like donating surplus stock, offering delivery services to local shelters, or rallying customer support for fundraisers can make a massive difference.
Thank you to the incredible team members, sponsors, and all those who contributed to the effort. Together, they’ve shown that the pizza industry is about more than just dough and cheese; it’s about community and resilience.
