Pizzas 4 Patriots to send 5K pies to troops abroad on Super Bowl Sunday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Pizzas 4 Patriots and DHL Express are working together to send 5,000 pies to U.S. troops abroad for Super Bowl Sunday.

Ret. Master Sergeant Mark Evans, Founder of Pizzas 4 Patriots, and DHL Chicago Area Operations Manager Joe Yates explained how it works and how viewers can help.

(PRESS RELEASE)

Pizzas 4 Patriots is teaming up with the world's leading international express shipping provider, DHL Express, to hand off piping hot pizzas to troops serving abroad. The 5,000 pizzas will touch down in Afghanistan just in time for Super Bowl Sunday so that soldiers can enjoy a taste of home while watching the NFL championship game.

For the seventh year in a row, DHL Express is donating the resources of its global express shipping network to the non-profit organization Pizzas 4 Patriots to send enough pizza to feed every U.S. soldier stationed in Afghanistan. The delicious meals will be provided this year by Rich Products Corporation, one of the nation's leading pizza suppliers to the foodservice industry.

"Having served overseas, I personally know that having a taste of home on Super Bowl Sunday is a powerful experience for troops stationed abroad," said Retired Master Sergeant Mark Evans, founder of Pizzas 4 Patriots. "I am grateful to DHL Express for donating its shipping services, and to Rich's, for making this experience possible for our brave servicemen and women."

DHL Express employees will load the perishable pizzas onto direct U.S. flights to the Middle East, re-icing the pies along the route and tracking the shipments every step of the way. The pizza will be distributed to Bagram Airbase and then on to various Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan. DHL Express will provide final, door-to-door delivery of the pies, working closely with the U.S. military to ensure the pizzas are delivered fresh and ready to eat at the various military bases.

"We are honored to be a part of the team that helps our troops enjoy the Super Bowl the same way they would at home with a slice of pizza," said Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express U.S. "While our experienced staff regularly handles cross-border shipments and complex deliveries, we are working extra hard to ensure that the pizzas arrive fresh to say 'thank you' to our troops overseas."

Since 2008, Pizzas 4 Patriots has worked with DHL Express to send nearly 150,000 pizzas in support of U.S. military personnel overseas, including a record-setting pizza delivery confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2012.

"This is an outstanding way to show appreciation for our troops abroad. We're thrilled to be a part of the effort, and we hope they will enjoy our pizzas," said Dwight Gram, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Rich Products Corporation.

About Pizzas 4 Patriots

Pizzas 4 Patriots, founded by Ret. Master Sergeant Mark Evans, is a non-profit organization with the mission of making a positive difference in the lives of our service men and women. We proudly support those patriots presently serving, as well as our wounded Veterans.

It is our goal to provide our Armed Forces with unique gifts from home. We have been fortunate to receive donations, ranging from financial to products and services, from individuals, families, corporations, and other organizations, all wanting to show appreciation for the sacrifice of our brave troops.

Our goal is to bring a little bit of home to the troops, and show them that they are supported by the country and residents who enjoy the freedoms that they provide for us.

For more information on our programs, visit www.Pizzas4Patriots.com.

About DHL

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics and CEP industry and "The logistics company for the world."

DHL commits its expertise in international express, national and international parcel delivery, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation as well as contract and e-commerce related solutions along the entire supply chain.

A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories, and around 315,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements.

DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education. DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenues of more than 55 billion euros in 2013.

For more information, visit www.dp-dhl.com.