Anthony Mangieri and Una Pizza Napoletana are no strangers to headlines: It seems critics and consumers alike can’t get enough of the top-rated pizzeria in the U.S. Recently, however, the restaurant did something else worthy of attention.
Una Pizza Napoletana launched a limited-time, special-edition menu item called Richard’s Pizza. It was designed by Mangieri and one of his employees—Richard, no last name given—as a tribute to the latter’s favorite food, lasagna, to help raise money for a good cause.
In a LinkedIn Post, Mangieri explained that he and Richard became acquainted via Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) find meaningful work and social connections. Mangieri hired Richard and has found his attitude and energy to be inspiring.
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“He always shows up with a strong work ethic, kindness and positivity,” Mangieri wrote on LinkedIn. “I’m so grateful to Best Buddies International for connecting us.”
“Over the last eight months, Richard has become a valuable part of our team and a lifelong member of the Una famiglia,” read another post on the Una Pizza Napoletana Facebook page.
The pizza was fittingly dubbed “Richard’s Lasagna Pizza.” The pie was topped with San Marzano meat sauce, grass-fed-and-finished beef and pork, fresh ricotta, ricotta salata, Setaro pasta, 36-month-aged Parmigiano, basil and EVOO. Mangieri said 100% of the proceeds were being donated to Richard’s fundraiser for the Best Buddies International Friendship Walk, an annual event that helps raise money for the organization.
As of Sunday afternoon, Richard’s efforts—alongside Una Pizza Napoletana’s—had helped raise nearly $3,500, or about $1,500 more than Richard’s $2,000 goal. Overall, the event had met its $200,000 goal.
