A Center City pizza shop's efforts to feed the hungry have gained national recognition, according to NBC10. Mason Wartman, owner of Rosa's Fresh Pizza, appeared on Tuesday's Ellen Show to discuss his pizzeria's $1-a-slice mission.
The interior walls of Rosa's are covered with neon post-it notes that represent prepaid slices bought by customers who can afford it for those who can’t. Customers can request to take one from the wall if they are in need.
The restaurant, on 11th Street between Market and Chestnut streets, has already served more than 8,500 slices to the homeless, NBC10 reports.
Customers are expressing their gratitude. Rosa's posted the following photo on its Facebook account:
According to the NBC10 story:
Wartman, a native of Plymouth Meeting liked the $1 slice concept — popular in pizzerias in New York City where he spent three years working on Wall Street after graduating from Babson Business College in 2010.
In 2013, he left Wall Street behind and moved back to Philadelphia. That's when he decided to open Rosa's, named after his mother.
On the show, Wartman was presented with a $10,000 check from Shutterfly to support the cause, as well as an "As Seen on Ellen" light-up sign.
Rosa's has been receiving praise on Twitter for its efforts. Ellen gave the pizza shop a shoutout on her Twitter account as well:
The pizzeria posted a thank-you tweet on its Twitter account on Tuesday, saying, "Wow everyone! Thanks for the love! :) It's just further proof that we have the best fans in the WORLD and the #HelpingPeopleisCool."