What Are Giveback Nights?
Dewey’s Pizza on Detroit Avenue not only serves dinner but also helps local schools and organizations raise money through its Giveback Nights program. These events transform a typical pizza night into a community fundraiser.
Giveback Nights are part of Dewey’s “DewMore” community initiative. On Tuesdays, Dewey’s partners with a local school, nonprofit, or community group. From 4 p.m. to close, a portion of the bill is donated to the organization when customers mention it.
Sales
Donations are based on total nightly sales: under $1,000 earns 10%, $1,000–$2,000 earns 15%, and over $2,000 earns 20%.
Dewey’s manager, Ryan Bader, said, “The Beck Center is a good example. Anytime we do anything with the Beck Center, it is always like a banger, and we could see … that we might double the sales that we do for the night, or triple the sales that we do for that night, as opposed to what we would normally do on a normal Tuesday, because we always do them on these Tuesday nights. It’s a slower night — easier to facilitate it. But … sometimes you might see a 150% sales increase.”
Helping the Community
The Lakewood Dewey’s has hosted Giveback Nights for several local groups, including LakewoodAlive, the Lakewood High School Orchestra, and different school Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs). These events help fund programs, field trips, and student activities that lack full district funding.
Students and families help promote their event on social media or through flyers around the school. The more people who show up, the more money the organization earns.
Dewey’s employee, Ben Parcher, said, “It’s a simple idea that makes a big difference. People come in for a meal, enjoy time with family or friends, and part of what they spend goes back into their own community. It’s a win for everyone involved.”
Impact
Across all Dewey’s locations, Giveback Nights have become a key component of the restaurant’s community outreach.
Bader said, “You know, maybe you meet some new friends. Maybe if it’s for a business thing, you meet, and they have a networking opportunity that you wouldn’t have normally had before. And, you know … you see stuff like that happen. You see, you know, when we’ll do these for these schools, sometimes you’ll have kids that will come back when they’re 16 and 17, like, ‘Hey, you did this Giveback Night program for …’ whatever. And sometimes those kids come back and like … you know, look for jobs, and then they … have a connection with the store because of that.”
For a single event, the results can be significant. If a group’s Giveback Night earns around $2,000 in sales, the organization receives a $400 donation. That money can cover instruments for a music program, supplies for a classroom, or help fund a student trip.
In the Workforce
Events are usually held on slower evenings so that the restaurant staff can focus on both regular customers and fundraiser participants. This setup lets Dewey’s support the community without disrupting regular service.
Dewey’s employee and Lakewood High School senior Stevie Williams said, “I think that it is a cool thing that our small business does, and I think it’s a good thing that Dewey’s puts in the effort to do that because … it’s nice to support them, because we take from them too. They give us their support as well.”
The program also helps the restaurant stay connected to the community it serves. By working with schools and nonprofits, Dewey’s builds relationships with customers that go beyond business. Many families who attend a Giveback Night return later, knowing their purchase helped.
Importance
Giveback Nights are an effective way to fundraise, demonstrating how a small action can make a difference. Instead of asking for direct donations, Dewey’s encourages community members to come together while enjoying a meal.
Dewey’s Pizza is proving that community support is the ultimate topping—showing us all that when we come together, we can create a stronger, more connected neighborhood, one Giveback Night at a time.
