Rockne Roll/News-Register##Steve Adams grabs a pizza to distribute at the First Baptist Church in McMinnville during a visit by the Little Caesars Love Truck on Thursday, Nov. 10. The Love Truck is a charitable outreach program by the nationwide pizza chain that provides free pizza to those in need.

Pizza truck provides a slice of hope to homeless

Smiling diners lined up for free pizza Thursday as a truck from Little Caesars Love Kitchen made a stop at the First Baptist Church in McMinnville.

The mobile kitchen is one of two owned and operated by the pizza corporation. This one travels the western half of the U.S., stopping in towns with supportive Little Caesars franchises, which donate the ingredients. John Capaccio, who owns the restaurant at 508 N. Highway 99W, hosted the local visit. 

Employees of the host franchise volunteer to cook and serve slices to people in need — primarily homeless people and senior citizens without a stable source of food, said driver and coordinator Steve Adams.

Adams made a stop in Salem Wednesday. After locations in Portland, Seattle and various points between, he plans to next turn east and roll through Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

He’s parked the company’s colorful truck and trailer rig in McMinnville previously. In September 2015, he recalls visiting The Soup Kitchen at St. Barnabas.

Along with food, the Love Truck serves hope.

“We want to let them know people care,” he said.”It’s very humbling. It makes us count our blessings.”

Joe Cloud of Dayton, assistant manager at the local outlet, said employees were excited about the opportunity to spend the day in the truck. “It’s important to help out the community,” he said.

As he and another worker, Skylar Miller of McMinnville, distributed plates to about 200 diners, he said, “People looked happy.” 

They did indeed. Cloud, Miller and Adams were greeted with enthusiasm when the big rig pulled up next to the church.

“This is the best frickin’ thing ever,” said Zach West of McMinnville, who downed several slices of pepperoni. “A corporation taking time to go all over to help feed the hungry and homeless? The best.” 

He and other diners chatted in the church plaza as they enjoyed warm pizza. Bob and Becky Shultz sat on the church steps as they ate, then returned for seconds. They got enough to enable them to save some for later.

Usually, they eat breakfast at First Baptist and dinner at St. Barnabas. “A lot of walking to get meals,” Bob noted.

They were pleased to have a hot lunch at the pizza truck Thursday.

“This is a good thing,” Becky said. “A really good thing.”