On January 15, Kim Ray of Spanish Fork was looking for ways to help those in need – particularly individuals experiencing homelessness. As a volunteer for the community-based organization Coconut Hut, Ray actively searches for ways to assist the homeless population. In her search, she came across a post from Pier 49 Pizza in Springville.
The post was made by store owner Paige Hurst, saying that there was leftover pizza from lunch specials, and Ray knew right away that she was going to find a way to get the pizza into the hands of those in need.
“I saw a post on a Facebook group from Pier 49 that said they have fresh pizza leftovers from lunch specials,” Ray recalled. “I told them what I do with the unsheltered community and that I can get it straight to the people on the streets and she took my number and texted me. A couple of days later I went and did my first pick-up of pizza and dropped it off to our unsheltered brothers and sisters around the streets of Provo.”
Ray, who moved to Utah from Ireland six years ago, spoke about growing up on the streets and knowing firsthand what it’s like to have “nothing.” She said that her goal with Coconut Hut is to build trust with no strings attached. She spoke about taking the pizzas around to those in need, and acknowledged that many were leery at first.
“When I walk around the streets and hand out food or blankets and other items, many will ask if I’m from a church or something like that, and I tell them that I’m not, and I’m just here to help,” she said. “It takes a second for them to warm up to you, but they were definitely grateful to have food in their bellies.”
Ray expressed her gratitude to Hurst and Pier 49 Pizza, saying how kind it was for them to think of others before letting the food go to waste.
“It was really nice of them to think of the community and not throw it away when food is so expensive these days and people are legit starving around us,” Ray said. “We were able to feed a group of people sleeping in the streets today because of this lady’s act of kindness.”
When Serve Daily spoke to Hurst about her act of kindness, she said that giving back to the community is something that they want to always be able to do.
“My sister (Jenny Hurst) and I have owned Pier 49 for 1 1/2 years and we’ve always been passionate about giving back when we can,” she said. “We are so lucky to be able to offer free pizza to people who need it most. We only recently started actively giving away our leftover slices every day, but in the past we have donated to families, schools and organizations. We’ve been a part of school spirit nights and fundraisers for many local schools. As a business that is so heavily reliant on the community supporting us, we feel the least we can do is to give what we can, when we can. It’s just pizza, but being able to feed someone who would otherwise go without (or even give them a comfort food that is usually inaccessible) has been such a source of purpose and joy for us.”
On behalf of the community, Serve Daily thanks Pier 49 Pizza in Springville and Kim Ray for their kind acts of service.
For more information on the Coconut Hut or to donate items to be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness, search @coconuthutslc on Instagram.
