On Monday, September 5th 2005, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen rolled into Louisiana and began feeding pizzas to those most severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. Love Kitchen Road Manager Doug Ruthven spent more than three full weeks coordinating serving locations with the American Red Cross, making pizzas and feeding evacuees and victims in the cities of Lake Charles, Opelousas, and Alexandria. In its first 10 days of service, Doug and franchisees John and Leslie Valenzuela provided nearly 16,000 meals.
Immediately recognizing the severe need of residents on the Gulf Coast, Little Caesars Pizza founder Michael Ilitch called for a second Love Kitchen to be mobilized and sent to help with servings. The second unit left metro Detroit on September 13, driven by Blue Line Foodservice Distribution driver Paul Kruszewski. Paul headed for Jackson, Mississippi, where franchisee Mike Naylor was instrumental in the Love Kitchen’s efforts.
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit the coastlines of Louisiana and Mississippi, Hurricane Rita battered the coast of Texas and the west coast of Louisiana. Beaumont, Texas took a direct hit, and franchisee Dan Davis was faced with several damaged or destroyed stores. His spirit was not diminished however, and Dan enthusiastically hosted the Love Kitchen at what used to be his storefront in Beaumont and at a shelter in Port Arthur, Texas. In this highly devastated area, the Love Kitchen provided 3,200 meals per day to very appreciative victims.
The second Love Kitchen vehicle remains in the Biloxi/Gulfport Mississippi area, which experienced a tremendous amount of devastation. Kruszewski and Franchise Operations Manager Mike Van Slambrouck toured the area and provided several photos of the mess that Katrina left behind.
Van Slambrouck said, “Even seeing it, you can’t believe the devastation. We would drive in silence for so long, just taking it all in. It was unreal.”
He added that the people there – victims and volunteer relief workers – were grateful that Little Caesars took on this tremendous task. Mike said, “Several people noted that even though we don’t currently have stores in that immediate area and other pizza chains and restaurants do, Little Caesars was the only one that cared enough to be there with them.” He added, “Their sentiments are strong, and Little Caesars will always be remembered by them as an outstanding community citizen.”
Several franchisees have volunteered their time, money, and staff to help support the Love Kitchen’s efforts, and it is truly appreciated.
The teamwork required to execute a relief effort such as the Love Kitchen’s Gulf Coast Recovery is massive, and several people pulled together to achieve the objectives.
Below is a list of people who were instrumental in the success of the Love Kitchen’s hurricane relief efforts:
- Doug Ruthven – Love Kitchen Road Manager
- Paul Kruszewski – Blue Line Driver
- John & Leslie Valenzuela – Louisiana Franchisees
- Mike Naylor – Mississippi Franchisee
- Dan Davis – Texas Franchisee
- Mark Sinclair – Mississippi Franchisee
- Louis Asher and Norb Dams – Michigan Franchisees
- Clay Gullatt – Mississippi Franchisee
- Brett Yates and Steve King – LCE Human Resources
- Pat Maher, Lenny Plocharczyk, Mike Van Slambrouck, Rick Busold, Steven Klaumann, and Jay Rife – LCE Franchise Services
- Laura Baccella – LCE Corporate Communications
- Joe Mestrovich, Jim Huffman, Chris Maher, and Gary Wilson – Blue Line Foodservice Distribution
- Beth Townsend and Roger Sanchez – LCE Florida market
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