During coronavirus, plenty of incredible stories of people helping small businesses have emerged. However, this story is of two business partners who own multiple pizza parlors. Despite a slow down in sales, they’ve still found an incredible way to help their community during these difficult times…
Helping Each Other
Jack Srebnik and Ellen Spencer are co-owners and co-managers of The Slice, a New York-style pizzeria chain with locations in Rancho Mirage, Santa Monica, Palm Springs, and Palm Desert, all in California. They opened the first Slice back in 2008, in Rancho Mirage, and quickly exploded in popularity. Now, they’ve become a staple of many communities, even working alongside the Chamber of Commerce on various events.
So, when the coronavirus hit, the couple simply knew that they needed to do something to help their communities. Soon enough, they had a great idea…
Countless Charity Programs
As the COVID-19 pandemic started to spread through the Coachella Valley, where all the Slices are located, Srebnik and Spencer knew that they needed to help in any way they could. And how was easy: they wanted to find those on the front line and give them a little strength, with pizza!
So, Srebnik and Spencer received a grant of $8,000 from the City of Rancho Mirage and paid 14 people from their staff to stay on during the slow times, creating Pay It Forward Days in the process. On these days, which take place twice a week, each Slice location donates either 20 large pizzas or 80 burritos to nearby hospitals, like Eisenhower Health, seen above. Meanwhile, on other days, the locations also deliver between 50-70 pizzas free of charge to nearby senior homes, thanks to a partnership with the Great Plates program. But, believe it or not, Srebnik and Spencer’s incredible story does not end there!
Give In Order To Recieve
While setting up weekly free deliveries to those in need would seem like an amazing accomplishment, Srebnik and Spencer did not stop there. The business owners also donated pizza to FIND Food Bank in Indio, California. Then, Slice locations also offered free dine-in for National Guard members and even started delivering them groceries, making sure they could focus on their stressful job.
Of course, this has all happened during lockdowns and continuously changing rules and regulations. Making things even more stressful, Srebnik and Spencer have been training employees on new procedures as well as completely renovate their cleaning process. Everyone was provided with masks and gloves as they worked or came in to order. As always, floors and tables are also cleaned and sanitized between each customer.
Still, through it all, Srebnik and Spencer feel very lucky to keep their jobs and locations open. “You have to give in order to receive,” Srebnik said. Well, without a doubt, these restaurateurs have done a fantastic job at paying it forward and keeping everyone healthy and safe!