News

One big pizza delivery under way

Posted June 27, 2008 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Shipper Pasquel Mendoza begins to pack 2,000 frozen Lou Malnati's pizzas to be shipped by DHL to U.S. servicemen and women serving in Iraq. Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

One long-distance pizza delivery is under way from Chicago with love.

Thanks to an Elk Grove Village retired Air Force master sergeant, 2,000 deep-dish, Chicago-style pizzas are on the way to a Fourth of July celebration for soldiers in the Middle East.

Mark Evans and his 16-year-old son Kent had the idea to send their favorite pies to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Evans helped load the pizzas today, when the 2,000 pizzas packed in dry ice were loaded out of Lou Malnati's Northbrook headquarters by DHL to ship.

Lou Malnati's sold the frozen pizzas to Evans at a reduced cost, while DHL chipped in shipping costs.

Evans originally wanted to send 300 pizzas but his story captured the hearts of so many who wanted to help, that he was able to raise enough money to send 2,000 pizzas.

"That's all the plane will hold," Evans said.

DHL drivers from left, Jade Robbins, Michael O'Connor and Danny Massingill start to load 2,000 frozen Lou Malnati's pizzas to be shipped to U.S. servicemen and women serving in Iraq. Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Sgt. Mark Evans, left, and DHL driver Danny Massengill help load 2,000 frozen Lou Malnatti's pizzas to be shipped to U.S. servicemen and women serving in Iraq. Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer