Not because he has to, but because he can. A Penticton restaurant owner has taken it upon himself to support those suffering amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don Gigliotti, owner of , has been offering free pizza to individuals affected by layoffs in the food industry.

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Since then, not only has his offer been well-received, but other members of the community have also come out of the woodwork to offer their support.

Some have called for free pizza, some of called just to voice their support, and others have offered to drop off materials so Gigliotti can continue making free pizzas.

鈥淪ome people have even offered to donate products to me to make the pizzas; it鈥檚 been good,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ome of that stuff I never thought was going to happen.鈥�

He said his decision to offer free pizza was two-fold; to help those who have lost their jobs, and also keep his workers employed.

鈥淚鈥檝e got a couple employees that are going to be on the unemployment line if I shut her down, so I want to keep them employed and try to help out some of the restaurant guys that got laid off,鈥� said Gigliotti.

鈥�(They) might be competitors, but it doesn鈥檛 really matter.鈥�

The restaurant owner is offering free pizza to the unemployed until April 4. If he ends up giving away more than he anticipated, Gigliotti says he鈥檚 not too concerned.

He stressed that he鈥檚 trying to keep his offer reserved for those in the food industry, and added that when people call to place orders, he asks a few questions about where they worked.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all in the same game in the restaurant business, and it鈥檚 tough to begin with,鈥� said Gigliotti.

He said the food service industry in Penticton can be difficult, especially with many pizza joints, before adding that the COVID-19 pandemic isn鈥檛 helping.

Around town, businesses are closing due to the pandemic.

鈥淚 know a couple of the take-out businesses, they鈥檙e just not going to fight it,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he way they look at it, it鈥檚 cheaper just to close down and don鈥檛 pay the wages. But you still have to pay the rent; my landlord isn鈥檛 coming to me with free rent.鈥�

Staying positive, Gigliotti says, is key.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to be a positive person, number one,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檓 looking at. I鈥檓 a positive person and I can do this right now. I don鈥檛 know how long, but I can do it. And I will do it.鈥�

Located at 625 Main Street, Corleone鈥檚 Pizzaeria is open Tuesday to Sunday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and until 9 p.m. Saturday.

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editor@pentictonwesternnews.com
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