After seeing predictions for long polling lines in Ohio, Florida, and Illinois before the election in 2016, Scott Duncombe noted that waiting in line to cast your ballot would be less painful with a free warm meal. Thus, Pizza to the Polls was founded.
The non-partisan non-profit organization has a simple mission: delivering pizza to those waiting to cast their ballot. Through crowdsourcing on their website, Pizza to the Polls collects donations from mostly small donors and uses them to distribute free slices via food trucks at polling places all around the country.
Their first 2016 initiative raised $10,000 to distribute 2,368 pizzas to 128 polling places across 24 states, but as more and more people learn about their mission, the program has grown. In 2018, they raised over $400,000 and expanded to feed 611 polling places across 41 states. This year, they’ve raised more than $500,000 so far.
In 2020, they’re already out feeding early voters with adjusted pandemic safety protocols. Those who wish to get involved can visit their website to donate or report a polling place in need of pizza.
Long polling lines are becoming a more prominent issue in the US, especially in densely populated and marginalized communities with limited resources. Long lines for early voting are already stretching out in states like New York and Georgia.
Pizza to the Polls is a great solution for keeping voters fed, promoting civic engagement, and fighting disenfranchisement caused by underfunded voting infrastructure. While we celebrate their support of voters, we also need government resources to support fair elections so voters don’t face long hours of waiting just to cast their ballot.
Image Source: Pizza to the Polls
