Every week volunteers from The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries visit Luigi's Restaurant to receive donations of specially prepared food, including large trays of baked ziti, lasagna or fettuccini alfredo prepared by Luigi's staff. SSKP volunteers then pick up the food, and transport it to nearby Grace Episcopal Church. Later, SSKP's team of "Heat & Eat" volunteers will divide the trays of food into individual meals to be given out at their local food pantries.

These frozen "Heat & Eat" meals are available to people with limited cooking facilities, or those who are living with a disability or illness that makes food preparation difficult. For these pantry guests, who are struggling to make ends meet under extreme physical and financial stress, the meals from Luigi's provide more than just relief from hunger. Besides the great taste of the food, they know that they live in a caring community willing to lend a helping hand to its neighbors.

"We are so blessed to be in a community that so openly and caringly provides for those in need," said Patty Dowling, executive director of The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. "Luigi's supports the mission of SSKP through their generous and steadfast kindness with delicious food donations. And, on behalf of those we serve, I say thank you so very much."

Luigi's Restaurant has been regularly providing these delicious donations of much needed food for over 12 years.

Pictured (l-r) Joe Nardone, SSKP volunteer, Deniz Altinok, chef at Luigi's Restaurant, and Len DiBella, owner of Luigi's Restaurant.