The U.S. pizza industry is working to support Southern California residents displaced by the wildfires near Los Angeles.

Slice Out Hunger, a volunteer-based organization powered by independent pizzerias, is asking for direct donations and encouraging its 700 partner pizzerias to offer a California pizza special and donate 15% of sales to the Slice Out Hunger emergency fund.

“We have a whole fund set up that is going to be used to sponsor pizza deliveries to shelters and places where those who have been displaced by the fires are being housed,” Scott Wiener, founder and director of Slice Out Hunger, says in an appeal on Instagram. “We buy that pizza from local, independent pizzerias that we have relationships with, members of our partner list.”

Los Angeles-based Heirloom Pizza is one of hundreds of businesses that experienced power outages this week. Staff returned to the pizzeria on Thursday and, because the power had gone out, had to throw out 150 pounds of pizza dough, several cases of cheese as well as eight trash bags full of pizza toppings and sauce.

The pizzeria’s managers say they hope to reopen Monday after they are restocked with supplies and are able to make new dough and sauces.

L.A. pizzerias offer food to displaced residents

Meanwhile, several Southern California pizzerias are taking direct action to feed those impacted by the fires.

Fresh Brothers, a Detroit-style pizza operator with 16 locations in Southern California, donated 150 pizzas to Los Angeles Fire Department Station 87.

Prime Pizza, which has six storefronts in the Los Angeles area, says in an Instagram post, “We are going to do the thing we know best: bring pizza to our community,” While the brand’s Altadena location remains closed, all others remain open. “If you are displaced and need a hot meal, please visit any of our locations … and we will feed you.”

“We also will be bringing pizza to the fire stations near each location. If you have a specific need, please email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.”

Pitfire, a pizza operator with nine locations in Southern California, is closed to outdoor dining because of the fires. The pizzeria is encouraging those impacted by the fires to consider its restaurants “a safe space” where they can relax and charge their phones.

Truly Pizza, which operates in Dana Point, California, is offering free pizza to firefighters, first responders and those who evacuated to Orange County. Truly also plans to donate a percentage of its January proceeds to Slice Out Hunger.

Slice Out Hunger campaign

Slice Out Hunger has launched fundraising campaigns during natural disasters. The most recent one was in September 2024, when Hurricane Helene made landfall in northwest Florida and created widespread destruction across Georgia and the Carolinas. Slice Out Hunger also sprang into action in August 2023, when wildfires burned 17,000 acres on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

“Slice out Hunger is a nationwide organization with more than 700 partners across the country,” says Wiener, who is the founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours in addition to Slice Out Hunger. “Those are all partners who work with us to feed those who are facing food insecurity on a day-to-day basis, but we also have emergency-relief programs to deal with situations like this.”

Tori T’s Pizzeria in Malverne, Long Island, is among the Slice Out Hunger members answering the call for assistance with its Surf’s Up special featuring slow-cooked ham, light bacon and pineapple. The pizzeria is donating $10 from each pie sold to the Los Angeles Fire Department as well as World Central Kitchen.

To join the effort by creating a special menu item with proceeds going to feed Los Angeles fire victims – or to make a direct donation – visit sliceouthunger.org.