A local Domino’s Pizza franchisee is providing a slice of joy to families in the South King County area with the help of Young Life leaders.

Amid the current health crisis, Young Life leaders partnered with Domino’s franchisee Greg Keller, who created an opportunity to help thousands of community members by firing up the pizza ovens.

“We are just so blessed to still be in business, provide jobs and give people some sanity by providing them service and pizza,” Keller said. “It warms my heart to be able to give back to the community that gives to our business and the people in it.”

Keller also offered his gratitude to the local Young Life teams who created a delivery network of families in need.

The first round of pizza donations occurred in late March, and with the second donation having been delivered on May 4, Keller’s business has now donated 2,000 pizzas to teens and families in YoungLife areas of Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, Renton, Highline-Tukwila, Lakewood-Steilacoom and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The donations also supported Young Life’s South King County Capernaum (kids with disabilities) and Young Lives Federal Way (young mothers).

On May 4, several Domino’s employees at the South 324th Street location in Federal Way carried tall stacks of fresh-made pizzas to the waiting Young Life leaders.

Eight local leaders from Federal Way Young Life groups drove around town to deliver about 50 pizzas and dozens of bags of groceries, taking the time to also check in on how each individual is doing.

“We wanted to share joy with families and kids in need amidst the struggle and hardship of this pandemic,” said Todd Zern, Federal Way Young Life Area Director.

The COVID-19 virus pandemic has brought uncertainties of unemployment and food insecurity to hundreds in the area, which Young Life is hoping to ease with the recent deliveries.

Along with the pizzas, Young Life also partnered with Brooklake Church and Soma Federal Way church to provide groceries for Young Life families in need.

The entire operation has been deemed “the domino effect,” Zern said.

“The domino effect creates momentum,” Zern said. “For us, it’s the momentum of building relationships, but also of transformation by spreading joy.”

Federal Way Young Life Area Director Todd Zern gives Domino’s Pizza two thumbs up on May 4. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo