Home Run Inn Frozen Foods continued its 75th anniversary celebration on August 24 with the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) in a “Back to School with Pizza and Pencils” event that saw 2,500 pizzas and pencil cases distributed through the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Public Schools.
“We believe in strengthening communities, and this public-private partnership is an open hand to Chicago students returning to school.” said DFSS Commissioner Brandie Knazze. “Few things can bring us together like food, and working alongside CPS, CPD and Home Run Inn to feed thousands of families at the beginning of the school year underscores our commitment to community.”
The food distribution event began at the DFSS’s Martin Luther King Community Service Center, where the Chicago Police Department enlisted dozens of community-based officers to pick up and hand out pizzas to children at neighborhood elementary schools at the end of their school day. Students each received one cheese pizza and a pencil pouch with supplies at 11 Southside schools.
“We are excited to support our students and their families as the school year begins,” said Chicago Police Department Superintendent David O. Brown. “We are grateful to be a partner in this initiative and for another opportunity to continue serving our communities.”
The 2022 partnership between Home Run Inn and City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is distributing 10,000 pizzas throughout the year to homeless Chicagoans as well s senior citizens and low income families. With a commitment to serving vulnerable populations, Home Run Inn and DFSS have already distributed over 4,000 pizzas to over 15 homeless shelters and 21 senior centers across the city.
“Bringing smiles to young faces as they look ahead to a bright new school year is an inspiration for all of us at Home Run Inn,” said Gina (Perrino) Bolger, senior vice president and fourth-generation family member of the Woodridge, Illinois-based frozen pizza manufacturing company.
The company began as a small tavern during the 1920’s, and was named Home Run Inn in 1947. Today it has 9 pizzerias throughout the Chicagoland area and its frozen pizza is sold in more than 40 states across the USA.
