Dear DUers, I have a very, very good idea. Please take a moment to read this.

[DonRedwood]

Good Evening DU Peeps,

If you've read my posts I always seem to be pushing you guys to write a letter, or sign a petition or call someone somewhere. Well, I have an idea that, to me, is a really good one.

It is simple and something that could become viral, could make headlines worldwide AND could help make a huge point about what kind of people Democrats are.

The Pizza guy that hugged Obama. This morning he was headline news around the world. This afternoon he is being boycotted for hugging Obama and that is becoming headline news around the world. The Pizza guy is now being interviewed by every news agency under the sun.

I know a lot of us don't have much extra money but if you can afford a pizza I want to suggest this. Call the pizza guy, order a pizza for the local homeless shelter (the addresses are below). If a few of us do it, tomorrow, as the Pizza Guy is being questioned about the boycott he will say that people are calling in supporting him by buying pizzas for the homeless shelters.

If we can start this ball rolling it may take off like the pizza thing during the scott walker stuff. If it goes viral then people WITH money will start buying pizzas too. We could accomplish several things: the democrats support free speech, the democrats support a republican who voted for Obama and help send the message that it is OK to come over to our side every once in a while AND, a bunch of people would get to eat some tasty pizza. Instead of a one day news story we can make a big story about how awesome the Democrats are.

Share the idea, I think we can make something good happen here! Since the shelters may have rules I'd suggest that you give the restaurant a couple of the shelter's names and ask them to call and set up a day/time that would work for the shelter. I'm hoping enough people call that they might have to set up a schedule. (26 people bought you a pizza...how about, every monday for the next 13 weeks we bring you two pizzas)

Big Apple Pizza & Pasta Restaurant 2311 S 35TH ST Fort Pierce FL 34981-5511 Phone: [phone]

Hours:
11 am to 10 pm
Seven days a week

HOMELESS SHELTERS IN FT. PIERCE (there are also women's shelters, homes for unwed moms and other shelters if you want to google it)
A New Beginning in Christ Hotline number: 772-240-5446 1901 Ave. O Apt "A", Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
Angel House of Comfort Hotline number: (772)-464-4148 417 N 9th St., Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
Homeless Assistance Center Hotline number: (772)-567-2766 720 4th St., Vero Beach, FL
Mustard Seed Ministries of Fort Pierce Hotline number: (772)-465-6021 706 N 7th St., Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
SafeSpace Domestic Violence Svcs. Inc. Hotline numbers: (772)-464-4555 (St. Lucie), (772)-569-7233 (Indian River), or (772)-288-7023 (Martin) PO Box 4075, Ft Pierce, FL 34948 Administration: (772)-223-2399 FAX: [phone]
St. Vincent DePaul Society Hotline number: (772)-546-2492 12001 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455

[trof]

1. K&R

[Maraya1969]

47. I'm getting bad numbers. Too far away. The "Homeless Family center" just

said they were, "not interested" until I persuaded her that I was just DONATING. And then I found out they were about 20 miles away. A couple numbers are not working.

I'll try a few more though.

[RebelOne]

2. I have a feeling that these homeless shelters are going to be beseiged with pizzas. n/t

[DonRedwood]

5. i'm hoping the restaurant would set up a schedule with the homes?

If it took off, I mean.

I just can't help but think so much positive could come out of this!

[Honeycombe8]

9. I have a feeling the pizza places won't be able to meet the orders. nt

[Cracklin Charlie]

29. You could just send donations in Big Apple's name

I think the President was there to recognize Mr. Big Apple's work with charity, so why not just donations to his local charities, if the pizza ordering scheme won't pan out.

[Luminous Animal]

22. And, unfortunately, the shelter may not be able to accept them...

No license to serve food... no plates, napkins, utensils, etc.

I did a search and it looks like Ft. Pierce has no soup kitchens... just food pantries. Pantries will not take pizza. I looked up a few of the shelters on the OPs list saw no evidence that they also serve food.

[monmouth]

3. HA! One of our friends has a sister up there so a bunch of us are going up on Saturday hopefully,

pick up her sister and hit the Big Apple Pizza and Pasta Restaurant. These women are from NY (Big Apple) and are a lot of fun. We are going to insist on being hugged and who knows....maybe "picked up." ....sorry.

[DonRedwood]

7. YAY!! please ask if they had any orders for shelters!!!!!

you can be our mole on the ground!!!!!

[monmouth]

21. I definitely will and will also introduce him to DU. He won't be a repub long if we can help it..n/

[DonRedwood]

43. not when he sees how we support our friends

[brer cat]

4. Great Idea!

Leaving this post up on my computer. Will call nearer dinner time tomorrow.

[Luminous Animal]

6. A good idea but please call the shelter first and ask if they can use the donation...

different shelters have different mission statements and may be in no position to dole out food.

[DonRedwood]

8. I'm going to order and ask the restaurant to call the homeless shelter and set up when/howto deliver

[Luminous Animal]

11. And if he doesn't want to take the initiative? What then?

I'm not trying to put a damper on this but I believe it is up to the activist to do the follow through.

[freshwest]

14. Yes, we need to find out if he delivers and how far away. Or if people can pick up.

I'd like them to send them to that domestic violence shelter. He has also mentioned when asked about this to send donations to the places he sends money to, a foundation, something. It's on another thread.

[DonRedwood]

10. i did an update on the OP to address this :0)

[JaneyVee]

12. K&R!

[DonRedwood]

13. link to a DU post about the Pizza Guy being boycotted

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021314759

[porphyrian]

15. That's a good idea.

If, for some reason, the homeless shelters won't accept pizzas, consider contibuting them to people stuck in thankless or difficult jobs, like civil servants. I'm sure cops, emergency room techs or journalists interviewing the guy would appreciate a pizza or two.

[onecent]

16. Please count me in and let me know when I need to make a call

I will donate 2 large plus a couple large things of pop
pm me if you need to

[OneGrassRoot]

17. After school youth programs.

Someone recommended that as another good idea to gift with food orders from Big Apple.

[Auntie Bush]

18. Good idea! I hope lots of people actually do this.

Thank you for doing so much work to make this happen.

[Sancho]

19. Thanks! I'll get over there if I can...and if not I'll order a pizza...

[busterbrown]

30. Would be great..

If you could let us know whats going on from a DU perspective.

[socialindependocrat]

20. k&R

[bkkyosemite]

23. What about Senior Citizen Homes

I think they would love a pizza party!

[Scootaloo]

28. Depends on the home

A lot of our elders have special needs diets - textures, salt content, that sort of thing. If a home is a literal nursing home, odds are a lot of the people there won't be able to enjoy it. It's also possible that the facility can't receive food from outside, for a variety of reasons.

And as a cook at a retirement home / nursing facility, I can tell you that this would be something you want to "Plan ahead" for with the home; we start cooking dinner for these folks around 12:30-1:00 PM where I am, and if suddenly pizzas show up, well, we just wasted an evening's worth of food in the kitchen.

Of course, the staff always appreciates pizza!

[Panasonic]

24. Yes, and even the pizza place says to donate to Van Duzer Foundation

to help the devastated families in St. Lucie County - seems to be a worthy cause.

http://www.vanduzerfoundation.org

[Booster]

27. lol The website is "having issues" - I suspect overloaded at the moment.

[BlueState]

38. The correct link for the foundation

http://www.thevanduzerfoundation.org/

[riderinthestorm]

25. Edited to suggest you donate to his foundation instead.

VanDuzer has a non-profit foundation that you can donate to and he says that would be a better plan. It helps families devastated by catastrophes in Port St Lucie http://www.vanduzerfoundation.org

[Tennessee Gal]

26. How about hospitalized children or girl/boy scouts groups, etc.?

How about contacting churches for ideas of groups to send pizzas?

How about Meals on Wheels?

How about just buying gift certificates for organizations that do not accept food?

Just thinking .....

[DontTreadOnMe]

31. great idea

Please call the shelter or where ever you are donating the pizza, and tell them to expect a free delivery. Otherwise they might suspect the pizza and not serve it.

[northoftheborder]

32. Excellent idea!

[marions ghost]

33. good idea

wonder if there's a local pro-Obama group willing to help organize this?

[riverbendviewgal]

34. How about local schools?

Sometimes the classes have a pizza day.

[tilsammans]

35. Love it! K&R!!!

Fantastic idea!

[sabrina 1]

36. I love this idea and intend to do this but did not have the names of any of the shelters

so thank you for all the work you did to provide the names and phone numbers.

[DonRedwood]

46. my pleasure! It is making the news that he has been inundated with orders!

[rury]

37. Another good idea....in case the shelters cannot accept the pizza

Order pizzas for all ALL of the Obama For America offices in Big Apple Pizza and Pasta's delivery area for the staff and volunteers.
Ask the staff/volunteers in that area to ask their friends/neighbors/family/Obama supporters to give the restaurant LOTS of business.
You know, sort of like the fundies and homophobes did for Chick-Fil-A!!!
Here's a list!!

http://www.barackobama.com/offices?source=primary-nav#34981

[Paka]

39. K&R

[daleanime]

40. Bookmarked for this weekend.

When I might be able to afford a large pie.

[Myrina]

41. DO THIS INSTEAD:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021315578

[Gato Moteado]

42. great idea

nt

[voteearlyvoteoften]

44. Or send one to volunteers at local OFA office

Time:
Host:
Tobi Schelin
Location:
Ft Pierce Obama for President Office (Fort Pierce, FL)
300 South US Highway#1
Fort Pierce, FL 34949
Directions:
US Highway 1 between Orange Avenue and Citrus Avenue on east side of US #1 Large yellow building
Google Maps
MapQuest
Yahoo! Maps

[DonRedwood]

48. THanks for getting the address!

In the first hour 900+ people read this post...about an hour later DailyKos came out saying the pizza place was being inundated with orders for pizza for homeless shelters...

I wonder if DU had anything to do with that?!

[tavalon]

45. kicked

heading for bed.