Not because he has to, but because he can. A Penticton restaurant owner has taken it upon himself to support those suffering amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Don Gigliotti, owner of , has been offering free pizza to individuals affected by layoffs in the food industry.
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Since then, not only has his offer been well-received, but other members of the community have also come out of the woodwork to offer their support.
Some have called for free pizza, some of called just to voice their support, and others have offered to drop off materials so Gigliotti can continue making free pizzas.
sa国际传媒淪ome people have even offered to donate products to me to make the pizzas; itsa国际传媒檚 been good,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淪ome of that stuff I never thought was going to happen.sa国际传媒�
He said his decision to offer free pizza was two-fold; to help those who have lost their jobs, and also keep his workers employed.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檝e got a couple employees that are going to be on the unemployment line if I shut her down, so I want to keep them employed and try to help out some of the restaurant guys that got laid off,sa国际传媒� said Gigliotti.
sa国际传媒�(They) might be competitors, but it doesnsa国际传媒檛 really matter.sa国际传媒�
The restaurant owner is offering free pizza to the unemployed until April 4. If he ends up giving away more than he anticipated, Gigliotti says hesa国际传媒檚 not too concerned.
He stressed that hesa国际传媒檚 trying to keep his offer reserved for those in the food industry, and added that when people call to place orders, he asks a few questions about where they worked.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e all in the same game in the restaurant business, and itsa国际传媒檚 tough to begin with,sa国际传媒� said Gigliotti.
He said the food service industry in Penticton can be difficult, especially with many pizza joints, before adding that the COVID-19 pandemic isnsa国际传媒檛 helping.
Around town, businesses are closing due to the pandemic.
sa国际传媒淚 know a couple of the take-out businesses, theysa国际传媒檙e just not going to fight it,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淭he way they look at it, itsa国际传媒檚 cheaper just to close down and donsa国际传媒檛 pay the wages. But you still have to pay the rent; my landlord isnsa国际传媒檛 coming to me with free rent.sa国际传媒�
Staying positive, Gigliotti says, is key.
sa国际传媒淵ousa国际传媒檝e got to be a positive person, number one,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 what Isa国际传媒檓 looking at. Isa国际传媒檓 a positive person and I can do this right now. I donsa国际传媒檛 know how long, but I can do it. And I will do it.sa国际传媒�
Located at 625 Main Street, Corleonesa国际传媒檚 Pizzaeria is open Tuesday to Sunday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and until 9 p.m. Saturday.
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