Spinato's partners with A New Leaf on fundraiser at all locations

Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen is partnering with the nonprofit A New Leaf on a back to school fundraiser at all six restaurant locations, easing the anticipation of a new schoolyear fro children who are unhoused or living ina domestic violence shelter.

During July and August, guests who visit Spinato’s will see coat racks adorned with backpacks, a press release explained. Educational information about A New Leaf will be available, and guests will have a chance to make a $25 donation when closing out their order, though all donation amounts are welcome.

All proceeds will benefit A New Leaf and funds will help purchase school supplies and other items to fill the backpacks.

“This is our first back-to-school drive with A New Leaf, and we’re hoping our guests will join us in supporting such a worthy cause,” Jaime Spinato, Spinato’s co-owner and director of community outreach, stated in the release.

Spinato continued, saying that when touring A New Leaf’s shelters, she was moved by the team’s work to be supportive and compassionate to families and that Spinato’s hopes to help minimize any stress with the new school year.

With 53 years of service in the Valley, A New Leaf is committed to “Helping Families, Changing Lives” by providing life-changing services to those facing domestic violence, homelessness, and other heartbreaking challenges, the release stated.

The nonprofit provides nearly 40 programs at locations across the Valley, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in our local community. A New Leaf anticipates improving more than 23,000 lives this year through comprehensive programming, according to the release.

Michael Hughes, A New Leaf’s executive director, said in the release that funds raised by Spinato’s Back to School drive will purchase both backpacks and supplies, so that children from A New Leaf's homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters can go back to school fully prepared for the new school year.

“Their support comes at a critical time for families who are facing extremely hard times. For some, the choice is to either put food on the table or buy a new backpack for their child,” Hughes said.

Hughes said A New Leaf has been experiencing a marked increase in demand for services since the end of many expanded social safety net programs in 2022. High housing costs remain a challenge, and 2022 data showed that 29% of Arizona children lived in households with a high housing cost burden.

“This especially matters to students since housing instability has been found to be a predictor of chronic absenteeism,” he said.

Spinato added that giving back to the community has always been important to the family. Supporting children and families aligns with the business’s core values, and they are hopeful guests will join them in this effort.

“We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and we would not have been able to experience the growth we have had if it was not for our supportive community,” she said.

For more on Spinato’s, visit www.SpinatosPizzeria.com or follow them at @SpinatosPizza. To learn more about A New Leaf and its services, visit turnanewleaf.org or to donate visit turnanewleaf.org/donate/.