For over 27 years, the popular Pizza Inn Restaurant on Joe Clifton Drive in Paducah, owned by Larry Rust, has hosted fundraising events called “Dough Raisers” for nonprofits to raise funds for the community, each Monday night.
A Dough Raiser event is where business professionals, softball teams, or church youth groups serve as waitstaff, with 10% of Pizza Inn’s proceeds (and all tips) being donated to the nonprofit group participating.
The average event raises about $1,000, and for over a decade the weekly Dough Raisers have generated over $500,000 for local non-profits.
This will be the 8th year that United Way has participated in the event.
Development Manager Taylor Till says, “It’s just a way to get our mission out there to people, and it provides an opportunity for them to learn more about how and why we do what we do.”
Taylor says, “Last year, we raised $2,700 and each year it goes up.”
On March 3, 2020 United Way will have about 20 volunteers serving and it will be an all-day event. The doors will open at 8AM and the day will be split into three shifts.
United Way will have three workers along with volunteers from board members and other companies such as Swift and Staley, 4 Rivers Nuclear Partnership, Worthington and Ingram Barge.
WPSD’s Bill Edwards and Ingram Barge VP John Operle will also be participating in the event.
“Ingram Barge has been a big financial supporter of United Way for years,” says Taylor. “The idea is sort of ‘let your boss serve you.’”
Ingram’s Business Relationship Manager, Brooke Colinger has participated for the last three years.
Having a family in the restaurant business and having waited tables in her youth, she is familiar with serving. “At first, everyone is everywhere, trying to get people’s drinks,” she laughs, “but it is well organized and everyone enjoys getting to talk to you. It’s a great way to give people good service and a smile.”
“It’s just a positive experience where people learn how United Way helps our community,” Brooke says. She has served on the Board of Directors of United Way for four years.
Some of the causes close to her heart are the non-profits that benefit children in the community such as Paducah Day Nursery, Lotus, and Child Watch.
“United Way provides a way for children to have a safe, thriving community to live in,” Brooke says. “It is important for me to lead by example for others and also to my own children. Serving gives us the opportunity to show how giving just a few hours of your time can make a difference in our community (while having fun).”
She adds, “This event also allows us to spread the word about what the United Way does in hopes of motivating others to feel empowered to do good in our community. Children are our future and we want to give them a positive environment and life skills to help them succeed.”
Support the United Way’s effort in fundraising on March 3rd and bring your appetite.
To Plan a Community Dough Raiser at Pizza Inn, contact Larry Rust or Ryan Summers at 270-442-7105
To volunteer with United Way, contact Taylor Till at 270-210-8070
