The mission of The Van Duzer Foundation is to assist families and individuals in St. Lucie County Florida, who are experiencing financial and personal hardship brought about by unforeseen crisis or tragedy.
Port St. Lucie’s Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza, has turned his restaurant into a hub for community impact. Through his Read to Succeed program, kids receive free books and pizza every Wednesday night—while 50% of sales go back to local schools.
With help from Scholastic, Children’s Services Council, and Pepsi, more than 20,000 books have been distributed, boosting reading scores and transforming Big Apple’s slowest night into its busiest.
Van Duzer’s foundation also supports families in need and organizes blood drives. Now he’s sharing his blueprint with pizzerias nationwide, proving that giving back isn’t just good for the community—it’s good for business.
Nonprofit Organization Receives Statewide Recognition
The Van Duzer Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting St. Lucie County families, recently received the Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award for its innovative Read to Succeed program. This initiative encourages student literacy by offering free books and pizza rewards for completed book summaries. Additionally, the nonprofit organization provides financial incentives to participating schools.
In its debut year, the program achieved remarkable success, with Fairlawn Elementary reaching 100% participation. As a result, the foundation is expanding Read to Succeed for the 2024-2025 school year, further demonstrating its commitment to community education and support. Learn more about this impactful nonprofit organization’s work on the Treasure Coast Business website.
As a leading Nonprofit Organization in St. Lucie County, the Van Duzer Foundation is dedicated to helping families overcome unexpected hardships. Our nonprofit organization provides immediate financial assistance and fosters long-term community support. Through innovative programs like Read to Succeed, we create lasting positive impacts on education and family well-being in our area, embodying the true spirit of a community-focused nonprofit organization.
For more than 15 years, the Van Duzer Foundation has found innovative ways to make a positive difference in our community. As a nonprofit, we’ve proudly raised and donated over $1 million to help St. Lucie County residents in need, reflecting our strong dedication to local support and community growth.
Scott Van Duzer: Serving Pizza, Books, and Hope Port St. Lucie’s Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza, has turned his restaurant into a hub for community impact. Through his Read to Succeed program, kids receive free books and pizza every Wednesday night—while 50% of sales go back to local schools. With help from Scholastic, Children’s Services Council, and Pepsi, more than 20,000 books have…
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Read To Succeed Scott Van Duzer’s “Read to Succeed” program has made a significant impact on promoting literacy among students in St. Lucie County. In its inaugural year, the program achieved remarkable success, with Fairlawn Elementary School reaching 100% participation. This accomplishment led to the program’s expansion for the 2024-2025 school year. The initiative has…
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Empowering St. Lucie County: Immediate Help, Lasting Impact
