Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

It seems as though everybody likes pepperoni pizza, and the Open Door Food Kitchen was no exception Tuesday morning, when a portable oven was set up on Edmond Street to serve about 70 free pizzas for patrons.

Cassidy Rowland eats at the Open Door Food Kitchen on a regular basis and is never picky about what she gets for lunch; she is just grateful to have a meal.

But there were no complaints Tuesday when an 18-wheeler known as the Love Kitchen pulled into St. Joseph, full of Little Caesars pizza.

“The people here are friendly and they always have good food,” Ms. Rowland said. “But it’s wonderful to have pizza. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Jennifer Morton is the owner of the local Little Caesars franchise on Mitchell Avenue. When the truck rolled into town Tuesday morning, her store loaded it with the pizza dough and supplies she donated. Ms. Morton’s franchise has been operating since 1991.

“This is our first Love Kitchen and we’ve wanted them to come here forever,” Ms. Morton said. “We’re just hopeful it won’t take another 18 years before they come back.”

The award-winning, non-profit Love Kitchen began in 1985 when Little Caesars’ owners Mike and Marian Ilitch wanted to help feed those in need. The mobile kitchen spends most of its travels working with disaster relief efforts, but also stops at soup kitchens and shelters.

“There’s probably a need in every community right now,” Ms. Morton said. “If you are in a position to help someone right now, do it.”

Doug Ruthven, Love Kitchen road manager, has traveled across the continental United States and Canada for 18 years, delivering pizzas to those in need.

“It’s a great job,” Mr. Ruthven said. “It’s very fulfilling, and I am fortunate enough to work for a company that is committed to giving back to the community.”

Little Caesars served 369 meals at the food kitchen Tuesday, approximately 100 more than usual.

The director of the Open Door Food Kitchen, Judith Flesher, was grateful to have the Love Kitchen arrive.

“I think it is so wonderful,” Ms. Flesher said. “I still can’t imagine they came to little old St. Joe, but I am so glad they did.”

To save enough money for breakfast and dinner, Sam Sowell has eaten lunch at the kitchen regularly since it opened.

“I haven’t had a piece of pizza in forever,” Mr. Sowell said. “It’s kind of an extravagance that I can’t really afford.”

The Open Door Food Kitchen at Fifth and Edmond streets celebrated 25 years of service to the St. Joseph community Sunday. The kitchen serves meals free seven days a week, and has served approximately 1.3 million meals in 25 years.

“With the way the economy is, this place has really saved us a lot,” Ms. Rowland said.

To complete the day’s meal, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church supplied salad, drinks and desserts.

“When you see the smiles on their faces, you can tell it’s a happy occasion at the soup kitchen with the hot and ready pizzas,” Mr. Ruthven said.