By Karen S. Carter
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 11:52 am

Big Nick's Pizza joined forces with Teen Link, Washington State Health Department and StartTalkingNow.org in mid-March to help teens and young adults to deal with the current COVID crisis and loneliness issues.

Big Nick's received 1000 14" pizza boxes from the Reach Out Over A Slice sponsors and have started delivering pizzas in them. The boxes are covered with trivia and a Truth or Challenge game. One of the squares to play with friends is TRUTH: What's one of your favorite memories? If the player refuses to answer then they do the CHALLENGE: Act out your favorite movie scene. The goal is to get the teens to socialize with members of their family or close friends.

"The boxes were created to help young adults and teens dealing with the pandemic and mental health," said Nick Delin of Big Nick's Pizza. "From what I heard teens are feeling alone and do not know how or where to turn for help dealing with loneliness and depression." It is hoped that the pizza boxes will spread some helpful resources to the community and add some fun to pizza night.

"This [program] was pitched to us by the ad firm that was hired by the state, they met with us and showed us the program and we felt it is a much-needed project to help teens with issues at home and school," said Nick. "This is a fun way to talk about issues that sometimes teens do not feel they can talk about, our goal at Big Nick's Pizza is to let the teens know they have a voice and need to talk with people about their issues and that it is okay to be sad and confused but people are out there to help."

Big Nick's Pizza is working on fundraiser ideas for non-profit groups. The plan is to have a pizza day where a portion of the sales that day will go to the group. Nick welcomes any church, school, or other non-profit to contact him so they can be added to his list for fundraising.

"Again, this Pizza Box program is a start for young adults and teens to reach out for help," said Nick. "We are working on some pizza special that will be out in late April. We would like to thank all of our great customers who have supported us through this pandemic and being short-handed and having to wait a little longer for your food. If your someone who is in need to talk with a Teen Link member, please call them they are there to help and if you need to talk to someone face to face contact, your school counselor or a church leader, they are there for you, no matter how small or big your issues are they can help."

Other resources include starttalkingnow.org, Teen Link 1-866-833-6546, and the Washington State Health Department. All of these places have trained volunteers who can help a struggling teen or young adult.

Nick is looking for help in both the pizza parlor and the Liquidation Warehouse in Raymond. Just stop by and apply if you need a job.