Jon Mangini will ‘raise the dough’ for Sandy Hook Support Fund

By Anthony King | SDUN Editor

National Pizza Week has inspired one local restaurateur to give back to a cause close to his heart. Jon Mangini, owner of BASIC Urban Kitchen + Bar and two locations of URBN Coal Fired Pizza – one in North Park – is also a native of New Haven, Conn. and recently travelled to New England following the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.

“You hear about the tragedy all over the news, and it’s devastating, but going back home and visiting the town, seeing the banners and signs, and bearing witness to a community that is in the midst of unimaginable grief really hit home for my family,” Mangini said in a release.

Mangini’s wife, Lisa, was raised 15 miles from Sandy Hook Elementary, in Trumbull, Conn.

“After coming back to the West Coast, I wanted to do something to show support in my own way,” Mangini said.

Called “Raising the Dough,” the entrepreneur decided to dedicate all pizza proceeds from his New Haven-inspired pizzerias directly to the Sandy Hook Support Fund, which was created in the aftermath of the Dec. 14, 2012 tragedy. The fund was set up in a partnership between the United Way of Western Connecticut and Newtown Savings Bank “to provide support services to the families and community,” the website states. Twenty children and six adults died in the shooting, and two people were wounded.

From 5 – 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 100 percent of the proceeds for all pizzas purchased at each of the locations will go directly to the fund. National Pizza week is Jan. 6 – 12.

URBN pizza features, among others, the Neapolitan style of pie that originated in New Haven, Conn. Locals refer to it as “apizza,” and it is characterized by a thin crust, a “crispy shell” and a “soft inside chew” the release stated.

Organizers are recommending reservations, as they anticipate a large crowd.

URBN is located at 3085 University Ave. in North Park. BASIC is located at 410 10th Ave. in the East Village, and the Vista, Calif. location is at 204 Main St. For more information visit urbnnorthpark.com or call 619-255-7300, and to learn about the fund, visit newtown.uwwesternct.org.