In place of an in-person Pizza Wars Fundraising event, the District 99 Education Foundation launched an online campaign encouraging community members to support the Foundation and its past local Pizza Wars pizzerias.
Thanks to community members and local businesses, the 2021 Pizza Wars campaign raised $8,000 which will support Downers Grove North High School and Downers Grove South High School students through innovative teacher grants and student scholarships.
“Even though we couldn’t be together in person this year, we felt the love from the community for our students and pizzeria partners,” District 99 Education Foundation President Julia Kennedy Beckman said. “Thank you to our generous community for continuing to support our many initiatives helping District 99 students and their families.”
Participating pizzerias in the 2021 Pizza Wars campaign included:
- Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Downers Grove
- Nancy’s Pizzeria, Woodridge
- Papa’s Pizza Place, Woodridge
- Rosati’s Pizza, Woodridge
- Sarpino’s Pizzeria, Downers Grove
- Skuddlebutts, Downers Grove
- Tortorice’s Pizzeria, Downers Grove
- Zazzo’s Pizza, Westmont
In addition, nearly 20 local businesses and supporters contributed monetary donations to benefit future learning grants supporting students. Click here to view the 2021 Pizza Wars sponsors.
Since 2014, the District 99 Education Foundation’s Pizza Wars fundraiser has raised $80,000 for learning grants, scholarships and special programs to benefit District 99 students. At the 2020 event, prior to the pandemic, the Pizza Wars event brought in more than 650 guests and nearly $20,000. Each year, each vendor provides, at no cost to the Foundation, more than 30 pizzas and several staff members at the event.
In 2020 alone, the District 99 Education Foundation contributed more than $50,000 throughout District 99 and the community to support staff and students producing face shields for local healthcare workers, to provide students and families in need with gift cards from local businesses, and to support teachers and students through grants and scholarships. Read more.
To learn more about the District 99 Education Foundation, and new ways to support teachers, students, and families, visit www.d99ef.org and donate here.
To learn more about Pizza Wars 2021 campaign, pizzerias and sponsors, visit the Pizza Wars 2021 website or contact the Foundation at d99foundation@gmail.com or 630-795-7115.