In Vancouver’s DTES, there is an organization that understands music’s incredible power to improve lives – The Saint James Music Academy provides free classical music lessons to children living in Canada’s lowest income urban neighbourhood.
This past December, Nicli Antica Pizzeria decided to do something to ensure that the music continued to flow for their neighbourhood’s children. “As most people know, traditional Neapolitan pizzas arrive at your table uncut,” says Nicli owner Bill McCaig. “For the month of December, we offered guests the option of paying an additional $2 to have the kitchen cut their pizzas for them. We thought it would be a simple way to help a local charity. We had no idea how successful the initiative would be.”
A ‘Toonie’ doesn’t seem like much, but it’s surprising how quickly they can add up to something significant. This week, Mr. McCaig and Nicli GM Anthony Sterne were pleased to present the music academy with a donation of $2,044 representing 1,022 cut pizzas.
“When we started, we had no idea how successful the idea would be and are so grateful to all our patrons for making this support possible,” says Mr. Sterne. “Thanks to them, local underprivileged children can continue to receive music lessons and so much more. The Academy gives the students an after school meal, provides them with esteem-building camaraderie and sanctuary from their often challenging home circumstances. I know that sometimes the instructors take the kids home because there is no one to pick them up after the lessons. This makes our guests’ response in supporting the Academy so heartwarming.”
While Nicli has returned to serving its pizzas ‘uncut,’ the restaurant doesn’t rule out the thought that they may offer the ‘cut’ option again in the future as a fundraiser.
Nicli Antica Pizzeria is located at 62 East Cordova Street, in Gastown.
No reservations are taken except for special events.
Call 604.669.6985 or visit them online for more information
Follow them on Twitter @NicliPizzeria or Facebook