Not Just Pizza: Serving Up Good Eats, Good Karma

What do the Union Valley Bulldog, the Jem, the Erial Epic, the Mullenader and the Charger have in common?

These five sandwiches, created by area schools, are being sold for a limited time at Not Just Pizza. For every sandwich sold, $1 will be donated to the school responsible for their delectable creation. 

The two schools that sell the most sandwiches receive a cash prizes of $300 (for first place) and $200 (for second) in addition to the totals from the $1 donations.

Union Valley Elementary, Ann A. Mullen Middle School, Erial Elementary, JLilley Elementary and Timber Creek High schools are all participating in the fundraiser, which ends on April 1. 

Since owner John Maniscalco opened Not Just Pizza in Sicklerville nine years ago, he’s used his business to support the local schools through fundraising activities. 

“The schools always took care of my kids, so I have to take care of them,” said Maniscalco, who has lived in Gloucester Township for 20 years and sent all three of his children through Gloucester Township public schools and to Timber Creek High School.

Maniscalco says he knows just how hard teachers work and values the quality education his children received. His fundraisers help buy much needed supplies for the classroom, build morale through social activities, recognize quality teachers and support students as they go through the public school system.

Through out the year, Not Just Pizza recognizes Teachers of the Month with a $10 gift card and T-shirt. The restaurant also offers pizzas at half-price for use at school activities. On occasion, 10 percent of all sales will be donated to a designated school. 

The sandwich contest launched a week ago and includes:

• Union Valley Bulldog: a cheesesteak with ranch dressing, french fries, bacon and soy sauce
• The Jem (J.W. Lilley): grilled chicken, pesto mayo, roasted peppers, eggplant, and sharp provolone on a panini
• The Erial Epic (Erial Elementary): crispy breaded chicken, bacon, mozzarella cheese, BBQ sauce, roasted peppers and fried onions on a plain roll
• The Mullenader (Ann Mullen Middle School): a cheesesteak with American Cheese, Cheese Wiz, bacon, fried onions, and green peppers
• The Charger (Timber Creek High School): breaded chicken , BBQ sauce  and ranch dressing

For Maniscalco, the best part of doing business in Gloucester Township is the people.

“I know everyone and everyone knows me,” said Maniscalco.

Maniscalco has two other Not Just Pizza locations in Philadelphia, serving up a similar menu with pizza, sandwiches and wings. The wings, which were voted “Best crust and sauce” by South Philly Review, are wildly popular, especially during Super Bowl Weekend. Maniscalco says on an average week he sells between 3,000 and 4,000 wings. 

Wings are available in mild, hot, BBQ and buffalo garlic (which, according to Maniscalco is excellent)

Not Just Pizza posts daily lunch specials (averaging around $3.99, a bargain in 2013) on its Facebook page. Located at 1715 Sicklerville Rd., Not Just Pizza is open seven days a week. Hours vary.