When staff arrived at Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta in Menasha on July 27, the day a chaotic tornado tore through the Fox Valley, there was damage to their building’s exterior and the power was out. Their only concern, however, was how they could help those who suffered more.
The EF-3 tornado caused extensive damage to houses, businesses and land across the western Fox Cities, including Neenah, Menasha and Appleton. While some buildings only suffered slight damage and loss of power and water, others were leveled from the storm.
Many residents were immediately in need of supplies, food and water, and Luigi’s general manager, Sarah Jaber, knew the restaurant was in a position to help.
“We powered up our food truck that same day and began serving free meals to those in need, as well as accepting donations,” Jaber said. “It was the first thing that we thought to do.”
However, the restaurant didn’t just stop helping after one day, or even one week. It’s been three weeks since the tornado and Luigi’s is still finding ways to give back as the community continues to try to put itself back together.
“Everybody continuing to help is the biggest part to getting Menasha back to where we started,” Jaber said.
Luigi’s has been serving the Fox Valley for 30 years and Jaber said it’s always prioritized giving back to its community – this time was no different.
“Food is essential, everybody needs it, so our first thought was ‘what can we provide to help?'” Jaber said.
The restaurant immediately took to social media to let people know that anyone in need could visit its parking lot, 332 Ahnaip St., for a free meal. Initially, Luigi’s was only providing free pizza and water, but soon, other members of the community joined them.
“On the first day, Duncan’s Window and Door paid for the first 50 pizzas we provided and also helped us advertise as a donation spot,” Jaber said. “From there we had other local businesses stepping up and helping us give back.”
Jaber said several local businesses paid for more pizzas to be given away, wrote checks for donations and donated food and supplies themselves.
For the first week following the tornado, Luigi’s served it’s community from its parking lot, collaborating with other food trucks. Tirado’s Taqueria and Amberlulu Bubble Tea and Desserts brought their trucks to the restaurant to also offer free meals.
“The amount of people coming in with carloads full of items to drop off was amazing,” Jaber said. “But also, hearing from the families that came to pick up the items talk about losing everything was heartbreaking. Knowing that we were able to provide those essential resources for them was beyond amazing.”
After the first week, Jaber said there was still a large demand for donated supplies and resources so the restaurant decided to expand its reach.
“We looked around and saw what areas and streets were open and where we could actually go,” Jaber said. “A lot of it was in walking distance so we packed up a cart and walked around, hand-delivering free pizzas and water to families and workers. We just wanted to make sure people were fed and hydrated.”
As cleanup continues, Luigi’s said it will continue to provide for those who need it.
On Aug. 10, the restaurant partnered with Kimberly Clark to open its doors on a day when they are normally closed, allowing anyone to stop in, get a free meal and get donated supplies.
“Our event space room was full of donated items and now it’s practically empty,” Jaber said. “We are still accepting donations and anybody that still needs anything is welcome to come in.”
Jaber said those looking for donated supplies are welcome to just walk into the restaurant and visit the event space to look at what’s available. Luigi’s is still providing free meals, but now asks for proof of address within the affected area.
The restaurant also partnered with DTAK, a New London-based trucking company that specializes in land clearing services and disaster relief cleanup, to provide the staff with lunch as a ‘thank you’ for their tornado cleanup efforts.
Jaber said as long as tornado victims have a need for donations and food in the area, Luigi’s will continue to help.
“Our priority is just giving back to the community that’s allowed us to stay here for the last 30 years, because that’s not easy especially as a small business,” Jaber said. “Any way we can give back, we do.”
For more information on Luigi’s and to contact them for donations and supplies visit luigispizzawi.com.
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: How Luigi’s in Menasha turned 50 donated pizzas into a volunteer marathon
Reporting by Jelissa Burns, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jelissa Burns, Appleton Post-Crescent | USA TODAY Network
