Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Launches ‘Pizza with a Purpose,’ recognizing students’ contributions to the community
Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria has officially launched its Pizza with a Purpose Program, a new community-focused initiative created to recognize students, educators and school groups making a meaningful impact in their communities.
The program’s first honorees were the Student Council members at Joyce Kilmer School in Buffalo Grove, whose dedication to service inspired Moretti’s to create the Pizza with a Purpose Community Service Award from John McCartney who represents Ala Carte Community Relations program.
Moretti’s recently learned about the outstanding work performed by Kilmer School’s Student Council, where students have dedicated countless hours to community service projects throughout the year. Their efforts have included fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities, assisting senior citizens, supporting veteran organizations and participating in numerous other worthwhile community initiatives.
Believing these students deserved recognition and celebration, Moretti’s created the Pizza with a Purpose Community Service Award and presented it to all 40 Student Council members and their teachers during a special recognition luncheon at Kilmer School. As part of the celebration, Moretti’s also provided pizzas for the students.
The event served as a reminder that community service deserves recognition, especially when performed by young people. Acknowledging their efforts not only rewards their hard work but also encourages them to continue making a positive difference in their communities.
The Pizza with a Purpose Program is the latest step in Moretti’s growing commitment to education and community engagement through partnerships with schools located near its 13 restaurant locations. Moretti’s new program will gather submissions from school districts across Chicagoland, recognizing volunteer and community outreach efforts with the Pizza with a Purpose Award. Over the last two years, Moretti’s has developed several programs designed to connect students with real-world learning opportunities, professional mentorship and meaningful recognition which led to the creation of the program.
Last year, Moretti’s partnered with the School District 214 ProStart Pathways Culinary Program at Buffalo Grove High School. Chef Carlos Sanchez visited the school’s culinary lab, where he demonstrated preparing one of Moretti’s signature dishes. Under his guidance, students then re-created the dish themselves, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a professional kitchen environment.
The experience later extended beyond the classroom when students and their instructor joined Chef Carlos on WGN-TV to discuss the culinary program and prepare the same dish live on air as part of Moretti’s participation in the annual Taste of the Town.
Moretti’s also partnered with the Pathways Marketing Program at St. Laurence High School for a unique real-world learning experience. Students were challenged with a public relations scenario, with Moretti’s bringing in the executive director of the Publicity Club of Chicago along with respected public relation professionals. Together, they created a mock public relations agency exercise built around representing Arlington Heights after landing the Chicago Bears account, giving students an engaging look at strategic communications in action.
Through these experiences, Moretti’s saw firsthand the value of connecting with students in ways that go beyond the restaurant. The Pizza with a Purpose Program was created to build on that momentum by celebrating young people who lead, serve and make their communities stronger.
Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria is owned by Ala Carte Entertainment, which also owns Bella Napoli Woodfired Pizza, Finn McCool’s Irish Sports Pub, Chandler’s Chophouse, Snuggery River Roadhouse and Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse in the greater Chicagoland area.
This truly was what Pizza with a Purpose is all about.