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Date: 11/3/2021
HAMPDEN - The servers and staff at Gio’s Pizzeria are taking the holidays’ reputation as the giving season to heart by donating their tips to charity.
“Our front people and kitchen staff felt it’d be best to donate [their tips] to charities that need it more than we do,” said restaurant owner Gio Cirillo. Cirillo had suggested the idea to the staff and said any of them could have chosen to opt out. Instead, they all agreed.
Rather than relying on tips as many restaurant employees do, Cirillo said the staff at Gio’s Pizzeria are paid hourly at above minimum wage. Typically, eight to 10 people work during any given shift, Cirillo said. Splitting the tips at the end of the day would net each of them $5 to $10, so instead they’re giving it to charity.
The money is being split between three charities, Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Springfield, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospitals and Tunnels to Towers, an organization that supports the families of first responders and military personnel who have died in the line of duty.
Cirillo chose Shriner’s and St. Jude’s as two of the charities because, “it’s all about the kids.” Considering those who benefit from Tunnels to Towers, he said, “They sacrifice themselves; they sacrifice their arms and legs for us, it’s the least we can do for them. That one was a no-brainer.”
In the first month, the workers donated $1,500 total, with $500 to each charity. They will continue their generosity throughout the holidays.
Gio’s Pizzeria is located at 9 Allen St., Hampden and can be reached at 566-8015.