TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay pizzeria opened its doors on Thanksgiving to help people in need enjoy the holiday.
“I want everybody to know, we will help you,” said Steve Figueroa. “Not only Thanksgiving, you can come anytime. Everybody eats.”
For a second year, Steve’s Pizzeria, located on North Himes Avenue, offered not pizza but free Thanksgiving food.
“This is exactly how the world should be,” said Scott Knisley. “You know, people looking out for people as opposed to stressing over politics.”
Some stopped by because they simply didn’t want to be alone on the holiday.
“What he’s doing now, you can’t really put it into words,” said Stanley Boston Jr. “It’s just an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.”
Figueroa said the holidays are an important reminder to give back to not only the community that supported him through the pandemic but also those who are battling drug addiction.
“Addiction took me to places that I’m not proud of, but I accept it because it’s part of my past,” said Figueroa.
Figueroa moved to Tampa 14 years ago, achieving sobriety by staying committed to Narcotics Anonymous.
“In order for me to stay clean and to appreciate what people did for me, I give back to people coming up behind me that need some help.”
