Zepp's Pizza Steps Up to 'Raise Dough' For Adoption Agency

It's been a good year for Zepp's Pizza.

The pizza shop on South Main Street has redecorated its interior, it's revamped its menu, polished its website and increased its presence on Facebook and Twitter.

With things going their way, the folks running Zepp's Pizza knew it was time to give back to the community. And with Christmas around the corner, they've chosen to spread the holiday cheer and help Pathway Caring for Children.

"The more I looked into it, the more I was sure these were the people we wanted to support and connect with," said Zepp's Pizza owner Jon Zepp. "And if we can do what we do — make pizza — and cut a slice of that profit and contribute to what they do, that's a best-of-both-worlds kind of scenario."

The restaurant will donate 20 percent of its sales all day, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 12, to the private, non-profit organization. And, customers will get a chance to see some "celebrity chefs" from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those celebrities will include Pathway board members and possibly some surprise guests.

Zepp said he's looking forward to wow-ing customers with the new interior and changes to the menu (see the menu in the attached .pdf) when they stop in that day. 

It hasn't been an easy year for Pathway. The agency — which offers foster care, adoption and mental health services — recently relocated from North Canton to Canton after continual flooding issues at its North Canton location.

Wendy Tracy, who was promoted from chief services officer to executive director of the agency this year, said she's pleased to partner with the pizza shop.

"The children and families we help every day appreciate Zepp’s and their customers' willingness to help," Tracy said. "A shining example of what this season is all about!"

Zepp, the youngest of eight children, said it was an easy decision to help out Pathway Caring for Children.

"Stark County's not an impoverished county, but we have needs like anyone else," he said. "There are people who are really hurting, and Pathway, not only do they help people with adoption and foster care, they specialize in people who have been hurt or neglected or abused."