‘Great Pizza Auction’ happening this weekend to benefit Dayton families

Proceeds from the event at The Yellow Cab Tavern will be donated to The Foodbank
The Great Charity Pizza Catering Auction held at The Yellow Cab Tavern on at 1 p.m. today will give attendees the opportunity to bid on pizza, pizza box art and Pizza Bandit catering packages, with all proceeds benefiting The Foodbank Inc. CONTRIBUTED/CHELSEA HALL

The Great Charity Pizza Catering Auction held at The Yellow Cab Tavern on at 1 p.m. today will give attendees the opportunity to bid on pizza, pizza box art and Pizza Bandit catering packages, with all proceeds benefiting The Foodbank Inc. CONTRIBUTED/CHELSEA HALL

As Dayton navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, eating local pizza might be the easiest way to help neighbors in need.

The Pizza Bandit food truck in Downtown Dayton has organized an auction that it said will prove to be both tasty and charitable. On Sunday, June 21, The Great Charity Pizza Catering Auction will be held at The Yellow Cab Tavern at 1 p.m. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Foodbank.

“We chose The Foodbank (because) there’s always hungry people, and there’s more people in need now more than ever,” said Brian Johnson, Pizza Bandit “Pizza Pardner.” “They’ve (The Foodbank) been here through the tornadoes, through everything. This is just an opportunity to help them.”

Attendees can also bring non-perishable items to donate.

Yellow Springs first Ohio community to require masks by law

“It’s been a weird year, to say the least, and this is just our way to have some fun, give back, and introduce our new catering options all at the same time,” said Johnson. “It’s an opportunity for groups, clubs, or offices to get together and win pizza below the actual value. I know many groups are needing a morale boost right now and this is a good opportunity for that.”

Attendees will get to bid on 12 different lots, including a catering package valued at $700 with all proceeds to benefit The Foodbank. Johnson will act as auctioneer, commanding the event with his best auctioneer voice and a mallet.

“The Yellow Cab has always been host to many different local artists,” Johnson said. “When we started delivering, many of our drivers were out-of-work artists who would, in their downtime, just doodle on our pizza boxes. It’s become a signature of ours and customers are always so pleased when they get a custom art box.”

FOURTH OF JULY: Which communities will (and won’t) have fireworks?

The pizza packages on auction will include one-of-a-kind artwork from local artists including Christopher “ETCH” Weyrich, Amy Deal, Megan Fiely and more.

Entry to the auction is free and there are no obligations for attendees to bid.

“We just want to have a good time and raise some money for The Foodbank. Everybody is welcome to just come and watch, bid, enjoy brunch or just hang out!” Johnson said.

There is a strict mask-wearing policy at the event, Johnson said, and tables will be distanced 12 feet apart.

“To be able to start to see these large groups, to have live trivia, have live music and to be able to serve all these people — because food is about people — for people to be able to come together and dine together safely, it kind of completes the mission of what a restaurant is supposed to be.”

About the Author