Dubbed “Operation Not Forgotten,” UNO’s and non-profit organization Pizzas 4 Patriots plan to dish out 10,000 pizzas to U.S. service men and women in Afghanistan on America’s largest pizza eating day of the year: Super Bowl Sunday.
“With the passing of time, some Americans have shifted their attention from the conflicts thousands of miles away, but our troops are still there and we never, ever want to forget them,” says Frank Guidara, CEO of UNO’s and a veteran.
“UNO can show its appreciation by sending them a taste from home, namely a deep-dish pizza. And we know it means a great deal to the troops – especially those that are in forward positions without the comforts of home available to them.”
UNO’s has supported Pizzas 4 Patriots in shipping more than 70,000 pizzas to our troops at various times of the year since 2009. That translates to more than 560,000 slices served to more than 280,000 soldiers.
As in past years, the pizzas will be delivered by DHL Express, the world’s leading international express shipping provider.
Pizzas 4 Patriots is an effort conceived by retired Air Force Master Sergeant Mark Evans and his teenage son Kent, of Elk Grove, Illinois. P4P has provided pizza to thousands of service men and women at bases throughout the world.
“We’re thrilled to continue partnering with UNO’s to provide our troops in Afghanistan with delicious deep dish pizza in time for the Super Bowl,” Evans says.
“For many of our troops, the winter can be long and hard over there, and they look forward to the best football game of the season. Helping them to enjoy it with UNO’s deep dish pizza is a great way for us to say ‘thank you.’”
“Our partnership with Pizzas 4 Patriots is part of our ongoing efforts to support our troops and honor our U.S. service men and women,” says Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S.
“We're extremely honored to leverage our international network, global reach, and expertise to bring a special slice of home to U.S. service men and women to ensure they know they are not forgotten by friends, family, and Americans at home.”
UNO’s has made support of our troops – active or retired – and their families a consistent focus, whether donating pizzas to local VA Hospitals, offering major discounts for Military Appreciation weeks, or helping to raise funds for organizations that support our men and women in uniform.
“We want to reach every soldier down to the last person, and let them know how thankful we are,” Guidara says.
