7,000 pizzas headed for overseas troops

ELK GROVE, Ill., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A retired Air Force master sergeant living in Illinois said his non-profit is shipping 7,000 pizzas overseas to U.S. service members for the Super Bowl.

Mark Evans of Elk Grove said Pizzas 4 Patriots, which he founded with his teenage son Kent, has been providing Super Bowl pies to troops serving overseas since 2009, The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported Monday.

"Pizza's the new apple pie," Evans said. "For soldiers who are a long way from home, it's a celebration of life."

Evans said the non-profit is teaming with mail service DHL Express and UNO Chicago Grill, which will be making the pizzas, to bring deep dish pizzas to the troops.

"We feel strongly about taking care of those who protect and defend our freedom," said Frank Guidara, chief executive officer of UNO Chicago Grill. "Sending 'a slice of home' for the Super Bowl is another way to say thanks. We're grateful for all they do."

The pizzas will be delivered to service members at 38 bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea and the Philippines.