PORTLAND, Ore. -- On Halloween weekend, 7‑Eleven convenience stores in the greater Portland and Vancouver, Wash., areas, invited residents to do something about hunger in its second "pay-it-forward" pizza campaign.
More than 90 stores participated in the three-day campaign. Customers could purchase a large pizza (pepperoni or cheese) for $5.55, to be delivered to the Oregon Food Bankand Birch Community Services in Portland and the LINKS food program in Vancouver.
While 7‑Eleven's pizzas are typically baked and served hot to customers, the donated pizzas were kept frozen until recipient families choose to prepare them. The pizzas will be distributed to the needy through local nonprofit organizations.
Last December, Portland 7‑Eleven stores invited customers to give away pizzas to the needy. The idea took off. One store, a 7‑Eleven in Gresham, sold 45 pizzas in a single day, and the customers donated more than 1,300 pizzas during the holiday campaign.
"Halloween is a holiday geared toward children who love to dress up and get treats in their neighborhoods," said Larry Hughes, zone leader for 7‑Eleven stores in the Pacific Northwest. "Pizza is a lot of kids' favorite food, and the pay-it-forward pizza program offers a quick and easy way for people to treat a needy family to a hot meal their children will love."
A special display complete with pizza boxes and a colorful sign communicated the pay-it-forward campaign in the participating 7‑Eleven stores that offer hot foods such as fresh-baked pizza, chicken tenders and wings.
7‑Eleven, based in Dallas, Texas, 7‑Eleven operates franchises or licenses more than 10,400 7‑Eleven stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 54,200 7‑Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2013, 7‑Eleven stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.5 billion.
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