Eat pizza, change lives: Buddy’s Pizza fundraiser for Capuchins on April 29

A hearty broth with mixed vegetables or chicken is the main course served by the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

However, during Buddy’s Pizza’s Slice of Life fundraiser it’s the Detroit-style pizza pie that people will consume in support of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen mission, services and programs for people in need.

The fundraiser, now in its 48th year, is as traditional as Buddy’s Pizza.

“Since its founding in 1929, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen has relied heavily on support from the community to fulfill our mission,” Gary Wegner, executive director of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, said in a news release. “With Buddy’s Pizza, we have found an unwavering partner in serving our neighbors. Ask any Detroiter, and they’ll tell you that in this city, neighbors look out for each other.”

During the Slice of Life campaign restaurants statewide will donate 20% of both dine-in and carry-out sales to its longtime charitable partner and Michiganders are invited to support the cause by visiting one of 23 locations across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. All proceeds from the pizza or any other items on the menu will be donated directly to support the Capuchin’s community outreach services, which have nearly doubled, with more and more people seeking support every day.

In 2023, more than 3 million pounds of food were distributed to individuals and families in need, and almost 1,000 hot meals were served each day at Capuchin’s two meal program sites.

The idea for the campaign began in 1976 when owners of the original Buddy’s Pizza location, at Six

Mile Road and Conant in Detroit, were seeking ways to give back to the local community. Employees were asked for suggestions of an organization to support, and the team unanimously chose neighboring charity, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. In addition to the annual Slice for Life initiative, Buddy’s Pizza provides ongoing, weekly support to Capuchin Soup Kitchen throughout the year, donating pizzas that are served at the organization’s meal sites.

This year’s event offers patrons something special.

In celebration of the historical franchise, Buddy’s Pizza will provide fans with a unique opportunity to own a part of history and support the Slice for Life initiative. During the campaign an exclusive online auction of five authentic Buddy’s Pizza custom square pans from locations in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor will be held. All proceeds from the pan auction will benefit Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Complete details on the onetime-only pan auction are available at buddyspizza. com/sliceforlife.

Since the start of the fundraiser Buddy’s Pizza has donated more than $4

Million to support Capuchin Soup Kitchen and its life-changing work, including $100,000 that patrons helped to raise last year.

“Nothing says ‘Detroit Style’ like the partnership between two historic neighbors: Buddy’s Pizza and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen,” Wegner said. “We couldn’t ask for a better neighbor in Buddy’s Pizza.”

To give you an idea of the difference it makes here are the programs supported by the Slice of Life initiative:

• Two meal program sites that serve full-course, nutritious meals to hundreds of men, women and children daily, while offering a shower program, emergency clothing and case managers.

• Capuchin Services Center provides a food pantry and a clothing pantry where guests can have a “shopping” experience that gives them a choice. Emergency assistance is also available.

• On the Rise Bakery and Café provides employment opportunities to returning citizens and individuals who have recently completed substance use disorder treatment. Jefferson House, a 12-bed, CARF-accredited, no-cost substance use disorder treatment center helping people regain their lives from addiction.•

Earthworks Urban Farm, a 1.25 acre certified organic farm that supplies produce to the soup kitchen.• Rosa Parks Children and Youth Program provides after-school tutoring, art therapy sessions, a lending library and seasonal family activities.

“It is our great pleasure to be able to partner with our customers each year to support Capuchin Soup Kitchen, a stalwart community organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need,” said Chris Tussing, CEO for Buddy’s Pizza. “Helping to provide the dedicated and selfless team at Capuchin Soup Kitchen with the critical funding they need to continue to serve some of our most vulnerable community members is something we’ve done with pride for practically the last half century, and are honored to do again this year.”

For those individuals unable to dine-in or order carryout at a Buddy’s Pizza on April 29, 2024, but are still interested in supporting Capuchin Soup Kitchen, donations can be made online anytime at cskdetroit.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BUDDY’S PIZZA Br. Gary Wegner, executive director of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen displays a slice of Buddy’s Pizza. For 48 years, Buddy’s Pizza and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen have partnered on the Slice of Life, a fundraising campaign. Twenty-percent of all proceeds from Buddy’s restaurants on April 29will be benefit the Capuchin’s mission.

Want to own a slice of history? Buddy’s Pizza will be auctioning off a few of its square cooking pans to raise money for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen on April 29.