With over 90,000 local kids experiencing food insecurity, LaRosa’s has teamed up with long-time community partner Freestore Foodbank on a ten-week effort specifically to stock 60 school pantries in 20 counties throughout the Tri-State.

A significant percentage of food-insecure children rely on free and reduced school meals, and for their families, most of whom are considered ‘working poor’, the Freestore Foodbank’s school pantries provide a respite to access of shelf-stable and frozen food in a trusted and familiar place – at school. 

Through Buddy Card sales at all Greater Cincinnati LaRosa’s Family Pizzerias, LaRosa’s will contribute $ 5 to the Freestore Foodbank from all $ 10 Buddy Cards purchased by Guests now through June 20, 2021.

“Our school pantries are a safe, familiar place for kids and families who need help putting food on the table”, said Kurt Reiber, Freestore Foodbank CEO. “By having pantries right in the school, we help reduce barriers to food access since we are right there for families when they need a little extra help”, Reiber continued.

Freestore Foodbank is a vital community partner that tirelessly meets local neighbors where they are with food, connection and hope. “Through this partnership we are helping ensure that local kids and families have the food they need – and to not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Michael LaRosa, CEO, LaRosa’s Inc. “Community is at the heart of everything that we do, so we want to use pizza as a way to pay it forward”, LaRosa continued.

The $ 10 Buddy Card features 14 ‘buy-one large pizza and get a large cheese pizza free’ offers for pick up and dine in, and is valid for a year. Buddy Cards can be purchased at LaRosa’s pizzerias in person, or Guests can add a Buddy Card to an order through the LaRosa’s app, at larosas.com or by calling 513-347-1111 or 1-888-LAROSAS. LaRosa’s will also bring a newly-purchased Buddy Card along with a delivery order.   Buddy Cards are available at participating LaRosa’s Family Pizzerias in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana.  

About Freestore Foodbank:

The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider to children and families in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana throughout 20 counties. The organization distributes 37.7 million meals annually to low-income individuals and families. The Freestore Foodbank supports 540 community partners, including food kitchens, homeless shelters, and school pantries.  Freestore Foodbank School Pantry program includes nearly 60 pantries open year-round in or near schools.  The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America.  

About LaRosa’s

LaRosa’s was founded in 1954 on Cincinnati’s West Side by Buddy LaRosa. It is now a $167 million restaurant company with 65 pizzerias serving neighborhoods in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.  To learn more about LaRosa’s, go to www.larosas.com.