For Good: Hungry Howies pizza hosts local events to raise money for breast cancer foundation

Pizza franchise and the National Breast Cancer Foundation team up to raise money and make services available to women battling cancer.

Hungry Howie's Pizza is hosting two local events designed to benefit the fight against breast cancer in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month. “Hands of Hope” is an art mural, and will be showcased at 3073 18th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. The public art project will feature hands representing both survivors and those who lost their battle to breast cancer. The mural will get a personal touch from the community during its dedication.

“On October 1^st from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the public is welcome to come see the mural, and dedicate a handprint to a survivor or a loved one,” says Misann Ellmaker, a spokesperson for the Love, Hope & Pizza project.

The second event is the “Love & Hope Quilt,” which is being sewn by Debbie Devine, a former Hungry Howie's store owner. The finished quilt will be up for auction, and all proceeds will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

In addition to these local events, the pizza chain will serve all of pizzas nationwide in pink Love, Hope & Pizza boxes with the NBCF logo during the month of October. A portion of sales will be donated to NBCF.

The local events, along with the funds raised nationally for NBCF will impact local women because the foundation has a partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center, which helps thousands of women each year battle breast cancer.

This hits close to home to one of Hungry Howie's associates, Andrea Adair, who also is a two-time breast cancer survivor.

“It's not just about offering mammograms,” she says. “What NBCF offers through Moffitt provides women with whatever they need whether it's radiation, chemo, or psychological support. They want to make sure they are really helping people”

While she praises Moffitt and the NBCF for offering more than just mammograms, Adair goes on to emphasize the importance of early detection. She says it was early detection that saved her life. Ellmaker echoes her sentiments.

“There are so many times we get so busy taking care of everyone else, that we forget to take care of ourselves,” Ellmaker says. “However the breast cancer foundation has lots of information and links on their website that can educate on early detection because it's so important.”

For information on where you can bid on the “Love & Hope Quilt,” click here. Also, for information on the National Breast Cancer Foundation for links about early detection, click here.