The Pizza Challenge fundraiser is April 2.

By Cathleen Twardzik

 will occur on April 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on the second floor of the Elizabeth Peabody House at 277 Broadway.

Somerville’s first Pizza Challenge, will pit at least five popular pizzerias against each other, and will benefit the food pantry.

Food pantry hours at the Elizabeth Peabody House are each Wednesday night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday mornings from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  During nice weather, fruit and vegetables will hopefully be available, according to Paul Kuhne, Outreach and Resource Coordinator at the Elizabeth Peabody House.

At the fundraiser, expect to see “voting cards that all attendees will receive after paying for their ticket,” he said.  Those voting cards will “have the different categories that we will award including Best Cheese Pizza, Healthiest Option, Most Creative, and Best Overall Pizzeria,” said Kuhne.  At 2 p.m., that will come to a close, and the winners will be announced. Several speakers will be present at the event.

Further, “While everyone is eating pizza, they will be able to roam around and visit some of our tables, including a table dedicated solely to the food pantry and another table with Farmer Dave’s – promoting their new and cheaper CSA shares,” he said.

In September 2009, this community food pantry started as a “pilot project, and it provided 14 families from its childcare programs with boxes of food that they picked up once a month on an appointment basis.”

Due to the demand for food, the Peabody House opened its doors to the public in December 2009.  At that time, only nonperishable canned items were available.

Importantly, in January 2010 an expansion happened because of a partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank. “In February, it solidified a partnership with Food For Free in Cambridge and began to offer fresh produce and bread to families,” said Kuhne.  At present, well over 150 families per month are served.

The fundraiser’s goal is food insecurity and raising money for the food pantry.  “Access to healthy and nutritious food in Somerville is a major priority for many families.  We initially wanted to hold a chili cook-off, but after some discussion, we recognized that we were surrounded by pizzerias in Somerville,” he said.

The fundraiser is expected to raise between $750 and $1,000.  “Every cent going directly towards our food pantry,” said Kuhne.  The cost is $10.00 for adults; $6.00 for children under the age of 12.

The food pantry’s future goals include, “definitely more nonprofit and community participation,” he said.

Which pizzaria’s will participate in the fundraiser?  “We currently have Primas, Leone’s, Pini’s, Eat at Jumbo’s, and Caesar’s.  However we’re still trying to convince a few more pizzerias to whip up some delicious creations, so [that] attendees have a greater variety of pizzas to taste,” he said.