Hungry Howie's is participating in the Love, Hope & Pizza campaign to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Throughout October, Howie's will serve all its large pizzas in pink boxes adorned with the breast cancer awareness ribbon.
With every large pizza purchased, Hungry Howie's will make a donation to the NBCF.
An additional $1 will be donated to the NBCF when customers purchase a Love, Hope & Pizza wristband, become a new fan of Hungry Howie's on Facebook, share a breast cancer story on its Facebook page or tweet using the hashtag #lovehopepizza.
Hungry Howie's Facebook fans can also make a donation directly to the NBCF through its Facebook page.
Hungry Howie's was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation's largest pizza franchises.
Howie's was the originator of the Flavored Crust(R) Pizza and now offers original, garlic herb, onion, cajun, ranch, butter, buttercheese or sesame-flavored crust.
Hungry Howie's associate and two-time breast cancer survivor, Andrea Adair, relates to the theme of Howie's campaign.
"Love and hope helped get me through breast cancer, and to me, pizza means good times with people getting together," she said. "I am honored to be associated with Love, Hope & Pizza."
Hungry Howie's has also added an environmental aspect to this year's campaign. Howie's has recycled vinyl from last year's Love, Hope & Pizza billboards to create tote bags.
These totes are used to promote the campaign and raise money for the NBCF.
The Love, Hope & Pizza totes are being given away by local media outlets or may be purchased from G2 GreenGear with a donation being made to the NBCF.
Hungry Howie's Founder Jim Hearn supports the dual purpose behind the Love, Hope & Pizza campaign.
"This is a great green product, and a great way we can be responsible by recycling our billboards to help support the NBCF and make a difference in the early detection and education of breast cancer," Hearn said.
The foundation's mission is to provide mammograms to women in need and offer educational resources such as the NBCF's Beyond the Shock program.
Beyond the Shock is a free online guide to understanding breast cancer and helping raise awareness.
It was designed for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and is a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease.
This online tool is also used by doctors to share information.
Howie's goal for this October is to raise $250,000 for the NBCF.
Howie's is chasing this goal and currently at 63 percent.
Last October, Hungry Howie's raised over $225,000 for the NBCF.
The founder and CEO of the NBCF is Janelle Hail, a 32-year-old breast cancer survivor who is passionate about making a difference in women's lives.
"The NBCF values Hungry Howie's partnership in sharing our mission of helping women by providing free mammograms, education, support, and early detection services," Hail said. "Together we can make a difference in women's lives and offer them hope."
Hungry Howie's has more than 500 locations in 24 states and was ranked in the top 100 of Entrepreneur's Franchise 500(R) in 2009.
Hungry Howie's in Auburn is on South College Street and open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight.
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