Chris
Pizza Man: Chris is Feeding the Neighborhood and Our Faith in Humanity
Social and Community Context
Join us as we toast Chris, owner of Pizza Man in Columbia Heights, who has quietly become a community cornerstone through radical transparency, relentless compassion, and yes—cheesy, delicious pizza. In this episode of This Toast Is for You, Chris shares how a leap from mental health work to pizza delivery turned into a mission to strengthen the social fabric of his neighborhood. From offering low-cost meals during school lunch shortages to sharing behind-the-scenes data about the shop’s financials, Chris lives out the Social Determinants of Health—specifically food access, social support, and economic stability—in real time. You'll hear heartwarming stories, including a smiley sticker campaign sparked by a loyal customer and a family's touching visit after tragedy. This episode is a dopamine hit that just might restore your faith in humanity, one pizza box at a time.
Episode Resources:
Jess’ S4 E1 episode: Lasagna Love (Jess recommended Chris as a guest!)
Recommend a Guest celebrate someone you know who makes lives better
Record a Toast to honor someone who has increased your quality of life
US Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2030: SDoH
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Social Determinants of Health