Salisbury's highest rated pizza restaurant has launched a new eight-month initiative to tackle hunger.

Pizza Venti, a family-owned business on Fisherton Street, is donating a portion of its revenue to the Salisbury Pantry and Foodbank.

Alex and Maria Popescu, owners of Pizza Venti, launched the campaign on August 1 and, until April 1 2023, which will donate £4 for each pizza ordered for dine in or collection on 'Community Mondays'.

Pizza Venti raised £426 for last month's community initiative - Salisbury Pride - and the restaurant works with Alabaré to feed the homeless.

When asked why he has dedicated every Monday to community projects, Mr Popescu said: "Our community is the engine that runs the business.

"For some, it doesn't matter what project we run. They're here every Monday and, for us, that makes them family members, not just guests."

Salisbury Journal: The 'Wall of Fame' inside Pizza VentiThe 'Wall of Fame' inside Pizza Venti

Since opening in November 2020, Pizza Venti have donated over £6000 to the community and just over 2500 pizzas to events and charity organisations since Community Mondays began in October 2021.

The business is also the highest rated restaurant in Salisbury, sitting at number one on TripAdvisor for over six months.

Councillor Caroline Corbin, chair of the community services committee, is "delighted" the restaurant is collaborating with Salisbury Pantry.

She said: "Salisbury City Council support the running of Salisbury Pantry via our own communities team because we understand the rising and real need for access to low-cost food as the cost-of-living rises.

"So, we are delighted that Pizza Venti have decided to commit their Community Mondays to these two food services in the city." 

Funds raised by Pizza Venti will be split equally between Salisbury Pantry and Salisbury Foodbank.

"Any donations like this, from socially engaged local businesses, are a huge part of us all working together as a community to make Salisbury a great place to live for everyone!"

The financial support anticipates a tough winter for all residents in Salisbury, not just the most vulnerable.

Salisbury Journal: 'Kindness Changes Everything' greets customers as they enter.'Kindness Changes Everything' greets customers as they enter.

Mrs Popescu co-owns the restaurant and has been overwhelmed by the community support. She added: "Kindness changes everything. If everyone would do a little bit, we can change.

"The feedback has been good, everyone's said it's amazing."

Salisbury Foodbank manager Maria Stevenson said the charity was “really, really grateful” for the support from Pizza Venti, adding: “It is great that the community are coming together and Alex and his family understand the need for supporting food charities.

“Doing it over the course of six months we know the winter is going to be an incredibly hard time for people in the Salisbury area. This is such an amazing way to give back.”

'Going above and beyond'

Maria says it will also help raise awareness of Salisbury Foodbank so more people know about the charity.

She said Alex and the team at Pizza Venti were “going above and beyond” to support the local community and praised the passion the business has in in “reaching out and helping other charities".

“It is another reinforcement we’re loved and acknowledged by the city.”

To get involved or find out more information about the initiative, email Alex Popescu from Pizza Venti on cs@pizzaventi.co.uk.

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