MATTHEWS, N.C. — Several local restaurants are coming together to raise money for a good cause.
Restaurants from Concord to Indian Trail are raising money Thursday to support the families of fallen officers who were killed during the April ambush in east Charlotte that killed four officers.
Every pizza bought at places like Mario’s Italian Restaurant feeds more than an appetite. It’s feeding a cause to help honor those who have served our community. Pizza came with an added ingredient: support.
Barry Steiger wanted to assist the community in showing their support to the families of the fallen officers.
“It's a way for everybody to come together, and give back," Barry Steiger, marketing manager at John’s Place, said. “My main goal is just to help support the families."
He started Carolina Pizza Strong. For every pizza bought on Thursday, June 20, $5 will go to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation.
Steiger stressed it's key for the business to show their support to the families.
"[We] wanted them to know that we feel that grief, we feel them ... we still love them, we want them to know we're there for them," Steiger added.
The campaign quickly grew. Over five other restaurants have joined the efforts, including:
- Marios Italian Restaurant: Matthews
- Bisonte Pizza Co: Matthews
- Bisonte Pizza Co.: Charlotte
- Bisonte Pizza Co.: Charlotte
- Johns Place: Matthews
- Mia Famiglia Pizzeria: Indian Trail
- The Rusty Onion Pizzeria: Charlotte
- Rossini’s Italian Restaurant: Indian Trail
- Basílico Italiano: Concord
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Jessica Tullar is the President and CEO Of the Matthews Chamber Of Commerce. She's proud of local businesses showing their support.
“Being able to do something like this that you can get your family involved, work together with other participants of the community to make some big changes and give back to those that need it right now is really important," Tullar said.
Beyond the pizza, the group also raises money through t-shirt sales and cash donations. People can continue to buy t-shirts and donate cash to Carolina Pizza Strong after Thursday.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.