Pita Pit Founder Stops in Bismarck | Video

Joel Porter | 12/5/2012

The staff at the Bismarck Pita Pit had an extra pair of hands helping out Wednesday morning. Pita Pit founder Nelson Lang traveled to North Dakota to congratulate the franchise on raising money for families in need.

Lunch time in Bismarck means the Pita Pit staff has its hands full. But owner Chris Volk says this staff is willing to pitch in and even get creative when it comes to helping someone else.

"Bismarck is just generous. Everybody we`d ask, `Do you want to donate a dollar and get a dollar off? Sure!`"

In just two weeks, Volk`s franchise pulled in around $2,500 for the No Kid Hungry campaign.

"Right now, there are about 18,000 hungry children in North Dakota. You wouldn`t really think that when you look around. And only half of these kids are actually using these programs for food subsidies," Volk said.

The Bismarck crew outperformed every franchise in the U.S., earning them a visit from Nelson Lang, Pita Pit`s founder.

"He created it, created the concept, but it`s like he`s coming to my home," Volk said.

"It kind of hits home. I have four little daughters at home. And the fact that one in six children don`t know where their next meal`s coming from is pretty scary in this country," Lang said.

To personally thank every last customer, Lang was behind the counter taking orders and rolling countless lunchtime creations.

"That`s how Pita Pit was founded. Behind the counter rolling every pita, making the pita like you`d make it for your mother," Lang said.

With a line this long and a crowd this hungry, Volk and Lang say the money helps ensure no one else goes hungry either.

Volk says Pita Pit is always willing to host more fundraisers. For more information, you can reach the store at 701-751-4202.

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