Pizza restaurant to raise money for literacy programs

Call it pizza for paperbacks, slices for scholarship or eating for education, a fundraiser at a local pizza restaurant with locations in Elgin and Crystal Lake will satisfy your pizza craving while supporting literacy programs in four area school districts.

To celebrate National Literacy Month, Nick’s Pizza and Pub will donate 100 percent of net profits from sales Wednesday to Elgin Area School District U-46, Central Unit District 301, Cary Elementary District 26 and Crystal Lake Elementary District 47. The day also coincides with the release of owner Nick Sarillo’s book, “A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business.”

“For us, it’s about giving back to the community and the kids and families that make that up,” said Natasha Russo, event manager for the restaurant. “What we were hearing from the schools was what they needed most was funding for literacy programs. We are just excited about doing it because we are passionate about giving back to the community that has given so much back to us.”

Patrons at the Elgin location, located at 990 Randall Road, can dine-in or carryout from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., while the Crystal Lake location at 856 Pyott Road will be open for carryout from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for dine-in from 4 to 10 p.m.

Cary District 26 Superintendent Brian Coleman said the funds would support the district’s literacy program and help the district purchase new textbooks for its language arts program. Coleman said the fundraiser and National Literacy Month would encourage students to develop their reading skills.

“It brings awareness not only to students, but also to parents about the lifetime importance of developing strong literacy skills at an early age,” Coleman wrote in an email to the Daily Herald. “In a time in which we are surrounded by an ever-increasing amount of information, it is vital that students learn the skills of reading critically, but also see the joy that reading can bring to their lives.”