WILKES-BARRE — In the seven weeks Dino's Pizza Express has been open in downtown Wilkes-Barre, the restaurant has donated 1,300 slices of pizza to local shelters thanks to customers' generosity.

The donations were made possible through a "Slice Out Hunger" campaign that allows customers to buy a pizza slice for 99 cents and donate 99 cents to buy a slice for a homeless person.

Dino's Pizza Express has delivered pizza to Mother Teresa's Haven, the Kirby House, Ruth's Place, the Domestic Violence Service Center and Catherine McAuley House, said owner Dominic Buonsante.

On Saturday, Dino's Pizza Express delivered 100 slices to the Keystone Rescue Mission in Sherman Hills.

Keystone Rescue Mission helps the homeless and working poor, provides meals and offers a recovery program for men who struggle with addictions.

Volunteers from Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre served the pizza; and men, women and children enjoyed the dinner.

"It's fantastic," said Kathy Regan, volunteer coordinator of Keystone Rescue Mission.

Ruth's Place, a shelter for homeless women in Wilkes-Barre, often receives pizza delivered from Dino's Pizza Express, said director Jackie Tona. She also called the Slice Out Hunger program "fantastic."

"I think it brings awareness to the community about the need to give back and show others you care," Tona said. "The ladies really enjoy it. Pizza isn't something they often get. Often, the food that is donated here has a long shelf life and it's canned goods and pasta, so pizza is a treat."

Buonsante came up with the idea for the "Slice Out Hunger" program based on a similar program at Rosa's Pizza in Philadelphia.

He and his wife, Kendra, have been making the pizza and delivering it to shelters.

Customers have been very generous in donating to help slice out hunger, he said. One customer walked in and donated $20, he said.

"It's been going great," he said. "Customers love the idea. Some can't thank me enough for what I'm doing; but it's not really me, it's my customers."

The people who receive the pizza at shelters are very appreciative, he said.

"They can't thank me enough and they get very excited," he said. "It's a treat for them because they never get to have pizza. It's like a little pizza party for them."

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2115