A box of pizza can do more than feed a family — it can help change lives.
That’s the idea behind Pizza with a Purpose, a community fundraising event organized by Seth Prentice, community manager for Armstrong, with all proceeds benefiting Inspired Hearts and Hands, a regional nonprofit serving families facing food insecurity and economic hardship.
The event will be held Wednesday, February 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, where attendees can purchase a $25 pizza box and sample slices from multiple local pizza shops — all while supporting a vital cause.
“This is one of those unique events that brings people together around something everyone loves — pizza — while helping an organization that’s doing incredible work in our community,” Prentice said. “Last year we raised over $11,000, and this year we’re hoping to get close to $15,000.”
Participants receive an empty pizza box with tickets inside, then walk from table to table filling it with slices from different restaurants. Guests can eat on site or take their pizza to go, and everyone gets to vote for their favorite shop of the night.
Prentice said Pizza with a Purpose began as a way to connect local restaurants with community giving — and has grown into an annual event many residents now look forward to.
“When you stand there and see hundreds of people smiling, filling up their pizza boxes, you realize how powerful something simple can be,” he said. “People genuinely enjoy it, and they love knowing they’re helping their neighbors.”
Meeting Needs Right in Our Backyard
Much of that need is being identified directly by local school districts, where counselors and teachers are often the first to see when children are struggling.
According to Inspired Hearts and Hands’ recent research, roughly one in five families in Butler County — and one in four in Beaver and Armstrong counties — are living in poverty or economic hardship, defined as earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Mindy said many families they serve are working but still struggling, especially as food and energy costs rise and pandemic-era supports disappear. In some cases, taking a lower-wage job can actually leave families worse off after losing childcare or transportation assistance.
For Inspired Hearts and Hands founder and executive director, Mindy Schnitgen, the fundraiser comes at a critical time.
Her organization currently serves nearly 1,400 families across Butler, Beaver, Armstrong, and parts of Allegheny County, working closely with school districts to support K–12 students with food boxes, clothing, shoes, and other essentials.
“What started as a small neighborhood food drive more than a decade ago turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined,” Mindy said. “We quickly realized there was significant need — even just a few miles from where many of us live.”
Inspired Hearts and Hands now partners with 23 school districts, relying heavily on guidance counselors, social workers, and teachers to identify students in need. The nonprofit also operates with just one full-time staff member, one part-time employee, and a small group of contractors — supported by more than 1,400 volunteers who contributed over 4,700 hours last year.
“Our volunteers are our engine,” Mindy said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”
She shared how something as simple as a new pair of shoes can dramatically change a child’s confidence and engagement in school — and how food insecurity often shows up quietly in classrooms.
“When kids are hungry or embarrassed about what they’re wearing, they disengage,” she said. “But when they have what they need, they show up differently. They’re ready to learn.”
Mindy recalled one elementary student who avoided activities because her shoes were falling apart. After receiving a new pair, the child immediately rejoined her classmates — a small moment that underscored how basic necessities directly affect learning and confidence.
Real Impact, One Pizza Box at a Time
Last year’s fundraiser generated enough support to place gift cards in every one of Inspired Hearts and Hands’ Easter food boxes — reaching an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people across the region.
This year’s Pizza with a Purpose will help fund the organization’s Spring Meals² distribution, providing food boxes to more than 1,300 families across four counties.
Funds raised through Pizza with a Purpose directly support Inspired Hearts and Hands’ seasonal distributions — including Easter food boxes, Christmas programs, and school-based assistance.
In 2025 alone, Inspired Hearts and Hands delivered 5,011 food boxes, equipped 1,231 students with essential school supplies and clothing, and supported 1,784 K–12 students through holiday assistance programs.
“That’s what a pizza fundraiser can do,” Mindy said. “Every box purchased turns into real help for real families.”
Prentice added that Armstrong employees also volunteer at the event, helping run stations and support logistics.
“It’s a team effort,” he said. “From our staff to the pizza shops to Inspired Hearts and Hands — this only works because everyone shows up.”
How to Participate
Pizza boxes cost $25 and can be pre-purchased online, with a limited number available at the door the night of the event. Each box includes 10 slices total, allowing guests to sample from multiple pizza vendors.
Prentice encourages residents to buy early. To sign up visit, https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/PizzawithaPurpose/Register
“If you’ve got FOMO, I’d definitely pre-order,” he said. “But even if you just come out to see what it’s about, you’ll feel the energy — and know you’re supporting something meaningful.”
For Mindy, the message is simple:
“You don’t have to do something grand,” she said. “Just do one small thing. Buy a box. Tell a friend. Volunteer. If everyone does one thing, that’s how communities change.”