(04/20/19) - Happy's Pizza in Saginaw wants to make sure everyone has a hot meal this Easter.
"The guests are super happy to have a hot meal tonight, especially pizza. That's a favorite of course," Meredith Geselman said. Geselman is the food service manager at City Rescue Mission of Saginaw.
City Rescue is a non-profit that shelters and assists people in mid-Michigan. On Saturday night, 120 guests can expect a bagged meal for dinner, but not today.
"Happy's Pizza the corporate office called me and asked if they could deliver pizza for dinner one night, preferably by Easter. We made an arrangement, and they were able to come and serve dinner to us," Geselman said.
Franchise owners Wally and Eddie Yasso are spread out this Easter to donate their food to shelters near each of their four locations: Toledo, Dayton, Jackson, and Saginaw. This one included 20 boxes of pizzas, three trays of wraps, three trays of bread sticks, and french fries.
"More people are showing up for dinner because they heard Happy's Pizza was coming, so there's been quite a response," Geselman said.
They donate before major holidays like Christmas and Easter as a way to give back to the community.
"The people help us too. They come buy food from us. They like our food, so we give it back to them," Ali Manini said. Manini is the manager of Happy's Pizza in Saginaw.
That generosity is felt mutually.
"They appreciate knowing that the community cares. It makes a big difference when you know people are willing to help you, willing to support you, willing to give you a step up," Geselman said.
Geselman says places like Panera Bread and Patisserie have donated in the past, but she would love to see even more restaurants provide guests with Saturday dinner.
If you know someone who's willing to step up, you can contact City Rescue In Saginaw and ask for Meredith Geselman.