A graduate student in Philadelphia has turned his passion for crafting homemade pizzas into a charitable endeavor, bringing joy to hungry locals during the pandemic. Twenty-seven-year-old MBA student Jake Thompson has utilized his culinary talents by creating and literally lowering free pizzas from his second-floor apartment. His only request? Donors can contribute what they wish to his initiative, Good Pizza PHL, and he promises to donate 100% of the proceeds to charity. To date, Thompson has amassed an impressive $30,000 (yes, $30,000) and shows no signs of slowing down.
Thompson, who does not own a pizzeria, operates out of his one-bedroom apartment. After relocating to Philadelphia in 2019, he began making pizzas as a hobby, serving them to friends. When the pandemic struck and he had to cancel a pizza night, he found himself with extra dough and decided to let friends pick up their pizzas from his window. The rest, as they say, is the best kind of history.
“I started it just to stay connected with friends during the pandemic,” Thompson shared. “I thought pizza could bring smiles and allowed me to say hello from my second-story window. It has since grown tremendously, and I’m really proud of what it’s become.”
What it has become is a substantial fundraiser for organizations like Philabundance and Project Home, focusing on alleviating homelessness and hunger, totaling over $30,000 (representing around 500 pizzas) and counting. “Every penny I receive goes directly to nonprofits in the area that are making a positive impact. It’s been incredibly fulfilling,” he added.
As word spread, Thompson implemented a lottery system where people could sign up for his “pizza drops” through an email list or on his Instagram page due to overwhelming demand. He can only make 20 pizzas each night for his drops, and in the past two months, over 900 people signed up.
Each free pizza comes with a handwritten note, and donations are accepted via Venmo (@GoodPizzaPHL). “Each day, I wake up excited to do this,” he expressed. “It’s given me purpose during these challenging times, and I’m thrilled about the funds we’ve raised and the bit of optimism I can share with people.”
If you’re not local, you can still support Thompson’s initiative by donating via Venmo or sending a message of encouragement on social media. Individuals like Thompson are truly making a difference in the world. For more insights on related topics, you can check out this article on home insemination kits.
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Summary:
Jake Thompson, a graduate student in Philadelphia, has raised over $30,000 for charity by making and dropping pizzas from his apartment window. His initiative, Good Pizza PHL, allows people to donate what they can, with all proceeds going to charities addressing homelessness and hunger. As demand grew, he implemented a lottery system for pizza drops and continues to spread joy and optimism through his culinary efforts.
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