The value of Pizza

From its humble origins in the 16th century as food for the common man, the first pizza ever made, the Margherita pizza, consisted of dough, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese, and today it has become the most popular food in the world. It is associated with celebration and good times, and when prepared using fresh ingredients, it is a nourishing food choice that offers healthy carbohydrates and protein at an affordable price.

Among the many benefits that a pizza provides, are these:
 

• It reduces loneliness. The personal presentation of a gift of food that requires time and talent for its preparation from fresh ingredients satisfies the soul. Loneliness is one of the most pernicious forces at work in modern society. Studies produced by Brigham Young University and the Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health at the University of Pittsburgh reveal that technological tools such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram, which have been promoted as the way to keep us all connected, actually increase the sense of loneliness and isolation among those who make extensive use of them. There is a growing hunger in society for real flesh-and-blood friends, who actually care enough to be physically present and to help in tangible ways.

• It feeds people. An average 10-inch Margherita pizza contains about 700 calories, or one-third of the daily calorie requirement of an adult, and it is not laden with unhealthy ingredients often found in other kinds of pizza. Recently, New York City nutritionist Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN, observed that pizza is an excellent and balanced source of protein and carbohydrates that satisfies one’s appetite far longer than do sugary snacks.

• Its achievements are measurable. Accountability of non-profit organizations to their donors is important. When they promise to make good use of contributed funds, donors want to be sure that their contributions will be put to their highest and best use. That’s why it is important to point out to ambassadors and individual donors, who give generously and who want to help in the most effective way, that 100% of their donations will actually be used to delivery pizzas to needy families.