Franco Manca, a UK pizza chain specializing in sourdough pies, wants to give away 20,000 pizzas to people in need this Christmas.
Franco Manca has put out a call to charities, shelters, food banks and other nonprofits to place free lunch or dinner orders via email for anyone “requiring extra sustenance and support.” The offer will be available at all 42 of the chain’s restaurants from Dec. 1-14.
According to a statement by Franco Manca spokesperson Sandro Spahiu, the chain has led previous campaigns to address food insecurity in the UK. “Charity initiatives such as this one have always been incredibly important to us here at Franco Manca,” Spahiu said. “We always strive to do our bit to give something back and are so grateful to our wonderful employees across the UK who are always willing to pitch in to make sure as many people in need [as possible] are helped. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
Some of the chain’s stores will also open on Christmas Day to feed the hungry, the company has said. It will also offer free pizza to emergency service workers who will be on the job on Dec. 25.
The chain also unveiled its Christmas menu, which includes a specialty pizza (below) featuring wild pig fennel salami, wild broccoli, Montgomery’s Ogleshield cheese, mozzarella and tomatoes.