It seems that in today’s media all we hear about is violence and crimes against humanity. We are giving a perspective that people are selfish and have no time to care for and help out others in need. That’s why when I came across a story about a man in New York City and his mission I was a little taken back. I had to share his goal because the world could use a breath of fresh air when it comes to humanity and how we perceive our modern society. If there were more inspirational stories in the news rather than negative ones we all might be a little inspired to pay it forward rather than guard ourselves from harm.
Meet Mason Wartman. He left his lucrative job on Wall Street to open up his own pizzeria called Rosa’s Fresh Pizza. He had a goal to provide affordable and delicious pizza at only $1.00 a slice including tax. It was a popular business model in NYC so he decided to bring it back to his home town of Philadelphia.
One day a customer came in and requested that she could ‘pay it forward’ and buy a delicious and warm slice for someone in need.
Wartman wrote on a Post-It note with a smiley face and stuck it on the wall to symbolize a free slice for someone in need.
Word spread quickly that if anyone was hungry, broke or in need they could come in to Rosa’s Fresh Pizza and redeem a Post-It voucher for a free slice.
That first Post-It note was put on the wall in March of 2014. Since then there have been over 8,300 free slices given away thanks to people who wish to help out their fellow human and ‘pay it forward’.
Mason’s business has been doing great because he is obviously in it to help people and provide a delicious service rather than for self gain.
I know that if I ever end up looking for a slice in Philly I will happily visit Rosa’s Fresh Pizza and donate a few slices for those in need.
To think that 8,300 people in need have been served a delicious slice of pizza thanks to someone they will probably never meet is amazing to me.
The reviews and the notes on the walls say it all and truly give you a genuine feeling of kindness and putting others needs in front of personal wants.
Rosa’s Fresh Pizza has been ‘put on the map’ due to this gesture and is now one of the most popular pie places in town!
Just look at all the pizza vouchers on the wall. This is a community that more need to use as an example.
Mikey B lost it all but thanks to the people in his community he was able to fill his belly with a warm slice.
Not only does this gesture give needed food, it also provides hope that people still look out for each other in times of need.
This note is especially emotional. This person was able to get back on their feet and go out and get a job thanks to people who helped them out in their time of need.
For only $1.00 people are able to give a little ‘slice of hope’ to those in need. That’s not asking much and it sure goes a long way.
I can almost guarantee that every single person who receives a free slice will be back to donate one to someone else in need.
Mason Wartman is truly a man deserving of some loving recognition. His business model is designed to help out those in need. He provides a warm meal and a little hope thanks to the citizens in his community. I’d like to see more of this kind of story on the news rather than people harming each other. I feel that we would all be a little more inspired to do some good in the world and help out those in need.