Have a heart this Valentine's Day at Boston Pizza

Boston Pizza serves up heart-shaped pizza to help kids across Canada access role models and mentors

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Canadians are invited to wear their hearts on their plates this Valentine's Day by ordering a heart-shaped pizza from Boston Pizza. One dollar from each heart-shaped pizza sold on February 14 supports Boston Pizza Foundation (BPF) Future Prospects, which helps youth across the country benefit from positive role models and mentoring programs.

"For 23 years we've celebrated Valentine's Day with heart-shaped pizzas, and it's become a tradition for many of our guests. This year we look forward to once again welcoming guests who want to celebrate with loved ones while also supporting an important cause," says Steve Silverstone, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Boston Pizza International. "Our goal is to raise $485,000 for Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects in support of mentorship programs that help youth reach their maximum potential."

Heart-shaped pizzas are available in small and medium size, on classic or multigrain dough, and can be ordered for dine-in, take-out or delivery in any of Boston Pizza's gourmet and create-your-own pizza varieties.  Boston Pizza expects to make more than 65,000 heart-shaped pizzas across Canada this Valentine's Day.

From January 12 to February 14, guests can also purchase a Boston Pizza Peel & Win Heart for a minimum donation of $2 to BPF Future Prospects. Every heart is a winner with prizes such as a free Panookie, a free Starter, or $2 off a dessert.  

BPF Future Prospects is committed to providing children and youth across Canada with access to mentors and role models through partner organizations, including: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Live Different, Kids Help Phone, JDRF, and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Proceeds from Boston Pizza's Valentine's Day heart-shaped pizza fundraiser will help to: increase the number 'Bigs' participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters; deliver Live Different's motivational school assemblies and leadership training programs; ensure young people have access to Kids Help Phone's professional and innovative counselling; provide youth and teens with Type 1 diabetes leadership and mentoring through JDRF's programming; and, work with the Rick Hansen Foundation to create more opportunities for those with disabilities by actively removing barriers and inspire the next generation to understand the importance of accessibility and inclusion.   

"At Boston Pizza, we believe that access to role models and mentors will help kids thrive and empower them to be all that they can be. That's why Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects partners with organizations that inspire kids to be great," says Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director of Boston Pizza Foundation. "Our annual Valentine's Day promotion has helped us raise and donate more than $5 million since 1993. We are grateful to all of our guests across Canada for their ongoing support and donations." 

For filming and photography opportunities please visit one of the following locations:

Calgary
Boston Pizza Shawnessy
235 Shawville Blvd SE
Calgary, AB, T2Y 3H9
(South Calgary)

Boston Pizza 17^th Avenue
1116 17th Avenue, SW
Calgary, AB, T2T 0B4
(Central Calgary)

Boston Pizza Creekside
12286 Symons Valley Road NW
Calgary, AB, T2P 0A3
(North Calgary)

Winnipeg
Boston Pizza Polo Park
690 St. James Street
Winnipeg, MB, R3G 3J7

GTA
Boston Pizza Front & John
Unit 1C201 250 Front street
Toronto, ON, M5V 3G5

Boston Pizza Square One
35 Square One Drive
Mississauga, ON, L5B 0E2

Boston Pizza Orangeville
5 Buena Vista Drive
Orangeville, ON, L9W 0A2

Ottawa
Boston Pizza Orleans
3884 Innes Road
Orleans, ON, K1W 1K9

For information on Boston Pizza locations in additional regions please contact:

Alexandra Peco
416-644-2298
[email protected]

About Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects
Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects was established in 2014 to raise funds and awareness for organizations that provide kids in Canada with role models and mentoring programs.  BPF Future Prospects is proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kids Help Phone, Live Different, JDRF and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised and donated more than $18 million to directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

About Boston Pizza
Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 360 restaurants in Canada. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C. and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information visit www.bostonpizza.com.

SOURCE Boston Pizza International Inc.

Image with caption: "One dollar from each heart-shaped pizza sold at Boston Pizza on February 14 supports Boston Pizza Foundation (BPF) Future Prospects, which helps youth across the country benefit from positive role models and mentoring programs. (CNW Group/Boston Pizza International Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150213_C5192_PHOTO_EN_12139.jpg

For further information: Perry Schwartz, Director of Communications, Boston Pizza International, 905-361-3616, [email protected]; Alexandra Peco, 416-644-2298, [email protected]