Pizza chain to give away ‘breadstix’

Today, Pizza Express is holding its Free Breadstix Day from 4 to 8 p.m. at all six Pizza Express locations. This year, however, instead of just giving away free breadsticks, Pizza Express is asking for cash donations to benefit the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Pizza Express will match all the donations it receives.\n“The original intent of free breadstick day was a thank you to the community for their loyalty,” said Sara Sheikh, marketing director for Pizza Express. “We like the opportunity to say thank you to our friends in the community who have been supportive throughout the years.” \nSheikh said this is the third or fourth year for the breadsticks giveaway but the first time that the company is involving donations for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. \n“It was a suggestion by the Herald-Times that we find some way to make the community a little better through the breadstick day,” Sheikh said. “This was a good way to do that.”\nSheikh said she hopes the fundraiser will be a success. \n“Since it’s the first year, we have high hopes and hopefully we will have a lot of people turn out for the event and increase the donations for the food bank,” Sheikh said.\nSophomore Carolyn Wills said she will definitely make a donation when she goes to pick up her free breadsticks today.\n“I think it’s a good idea because people are getting them for free so they won’t have a problem throwing in a few dollars or some change,” Wills said. “I think they will make a lot of money, and it’s really noble of them to match the donations.”\nJulio Alonso, executive director of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, said she is excited about raising awareness with the event.\n“It’s great,” Alonso said. “We’re always looking for new ways to make support for the bank and raise awareness about the hunger problem in the community.”\nThe Hoosier Hills Food Bank has seen a steady increase in the need for its services since last year, so Alonso thinks this event will be helpful. \n“The need for emergency food assistance is very high,” Alonso said. “Events like this that raise support have a big effect on our community and the ability for us to supply agencies with food.”\nThe Hoosier Hills Food Bank is currently in the middle of a capital campaign to raise funds to build a new warehouse.\n“We really appreciate Pizza Express for doing this, “ Alonso said. \nSheikh expects the company to give out 2,000 orders of breadsticks, and said each location will absorb the cost of the breadsticks it gives away.