Maria Fombellida owns Pizza Hollywood on upper Aquidneck Avenue. Known as one of the most generous and compassionate businesspeople around, Fombellida was selected as this week's "Making Middletown Marvelous" nominee. #PizzaHollywood #MiddletownRI
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CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
“MAKING MIDDLETOWN MARVELOUS” — MARIA FOMBELLIDA
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (AUGUST 1, 2022) – It would be tough to find a group of businesses anywhere more supportive of their community than in the Town of Middletown.
Right at the top of that list is Pizza Hollywood, the pizza parlor on upper Aquidneck Avenue owned by Maria Fombellida.
Whenever there’s a fundraiser for the schools, a family in need or a community organization looking for assistance, Fombellida said she’s proud to be one of the first to step up and help.
It’s also commonplace to see local emergency service providers like Middletown firefighters, police officers and others featured on social media munching on pizza pies and other goodies donated by Pizza Hollywood.
For her generosity, support for the community and love of Middletown, Fombellida is this week’s “Making Middletown Marvelous” nominee.
“I think it’s important to help,” Fombellida said. “The community can only be as strong as the support we give to each other. I really believe in that.”
Born in Spain, Fombellida moved to Middletown with her husband and is proud to call the community home. Sending their children to Middletown schools and setting deep roots in town, she said she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
“We love it here,” Fombellida said. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful place to live and raise a family.
When she was nominated for “Making Middletown Marvelous,” it was clear Fombellida had made a positive difference in the town.
Among the words used to describe Fombellida included “caring,” “upbeat” and “always the first person to sponsor local events and fundraisers for the Middletown PTG.”
Fombellida said that’s just how she was raised and how she operates.
“We try to do as much as we can,” Fombellida said, laughing. “Sometimes, during the school year, we get a lot (of requests) and everyone is so appreciative and happy.”
For Fombellida, giving back is part of what being a local business like Pizza Hollywood is all about.
“Pizza Hollywood is a family business,” Fombellida said. “I personally know everyone who works here and a lot of our customers too. We are local and want to give everyone the best pizza we can. We make the dough fresh every day and are very proud to be here in Middletown, doing business. This is our home.”
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/5384/MMM-Maria-Fombellida
To suggest a “Making Middletown Marvelous” nominee, visit https://mdl.town/Marvelous online and submit a form and photo and the town will take care of the rest.