In May, United PF launched a give-back initiative for front-line workers in communities where the 169-unit organization has clubs. After seeing PFHQ’s outreach efforts, United PF decided to use the same idea in its communities.

To demonstrate its support and say thank you to essential workers, United PF donated pizza, bottled water and other snacks to various community members on the front lines from May 4-18. Club managers, district managers and regional directors took the lead and planned visits to 111 local organizations, including medical centers and hospitals; police, fire and EMS departments; Boys & Girls Clubs; Big Brothers Big Sisters; and many more.

All 14 states where United PF has clubs participated, with 119 clubs taking part in donating more than 1,100 pizzas and $16,000 in contributions.

Team members were excited to help make a difference in their communities. “Our teammates jumped at the opportunity to assist in any way,” said Jessica Rice-Pugh, community marketing manager, who led the initiative. “It felt satisfying for team members to make a dent and say thank you to our community and front-line workers.”

United PF received many sincere thank-yous from community organizations. Both Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erath County, Texas, and Boys & Girls Club of the Valley in Arizona posted photos on their Facebook pages of children enjoying their pizza and snacks.

The COVID-19 Command Center crew at the Jonesboro, Arkansas, mayor’s office wrote a thank-you letter to United PF that read, “Your generosity and thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated!”

“I was so happy to be able to lead the Give Back Initiative,” said Rice-Pugh. “It was so great to see how the team rallied and supported their local communities. It was also gratifying to connect with the community and say thank you. As our front-line workers are tirelessly working to keep us and their community safe, this was the least I could do.”