Today, we’re diving into a heartwarming story of community spirit and kindness that emerged from a rather unfortunate prank. This tale takes us to PizzAroma, a beloved pizza shop in Maumee, Ohio, that recently faced an unexpected challenge but found an unexpected hero.
It all began when PizzAroma received a large order for 16 pizzas—eight cheese and eight pepperoni. Rocky Keefer, the manager, and his team thought nothing of it. After all, their shop often caters to events. The following day, the woman who placed the order called to confirm when the pizzas would be ready. Keefer assured her they were about to be placed in the oven.
The total for the 16 pizzas was $112, to be paid upon pickup. But as the minutes turned into hours, no one arrived to collect the order. The pizzas, now cold and unsellable, had to be thrown away. Not only did the prank waste food, but it also delayed other customers’ orders.
Upon investigation, PizzAroma traced the woman’s phone number to an app designed for making prank calls using fake numbers. Keefer expressed his disbelief and frustration, telling Fox Television Stations, “I can’t believe this happened because we took time out to make sure it was done. I just don’t understand why people can do that to somebody.”
However, this story takes a positive turn. Enter Travis Truesdell, a local business owner and U.S. Army veteran. After hearing about the prank through social media, Truesdell decided to step in and cover the cost of the wasted pizzas. Not stopping there, he purchased additional pizzas to share with his own employees.
Truesdell, who owns True Aerial Signs in Toledo, explained, “It just automatically resonated with me. I understand how hard it is sometimes to make ends meet. Doing the right thing is so easy, and it really makes a difference to other people.”
Inspired by Truesdell’s generosity, PizzAroma has now implemented a new policy: customers who order 10 or more pizzas must pay upfront, either over the phone or in person. This change aims to prevent future pranks and ensure that such kindness isn’t taken advantage of again.
Keefer expressed his gratitude and hope, saying, “It’s nice that we have other small businesses looking out for us. Small businesses looking out for each other and have each other’s backs. It makes me proud.”
This story is a beautiful reminder of how one person’s good deed can restore faith in humanity and strengthen the bonds within a community. As Travis Truesdell said, “Doing the right thing is so easy, and it really makes a difference to other people.”
You can watch the full story here.