Residents of Barnesville now have the chance to donate or receive free pizzas through a new initiative at Chestnut Lanes. The local business, owned by A.J. and Becky Corder, has introduced a donation wall where community members can share meals with those in need.
The process is simple: when someone orders a pizza to donate, the receipt is placed on the donation wall. Anyone in need can select a receipt, present it to the Corders, and receive the corresponding pizza for free. As an added gesture, the Corders match each donated pizza with one of their own, doubling the impact.
Since launching the initiative, Chestnut Lanes has given out 30 pizzas in just two days. A.J. Corder expressed that the donation wall will continue as long as people participate and contribute.
The idea was inspired by a concept A.J. had seen before, where customers at restaurants paid for meals for others. He and Becky decided to enhance it by matching each donation themselves.
“With times being tough,” A.J. explained, “we thought this was a good way to help the community.” He also noted that the initiative is particularly beneficial during the current winter weather, which has caused issues like broken furnaces and burst pipes.
The donation program features extra-large pizzas with various toppings, including pepperoni, cheese, chicken bacon ranch, buffalo chicken, and barbeque chicken.
Chestnut Lanes has a long history in Barnesville, but in 2020, the business was destroyed by a fire. The Barnesville community rallied together, raising money to help the Corders rebuild. The bowling alley reopened in 2022, and this free pizza initiative is their way of giving back.
“Barnesville is a close-knit community,” A.J. said, emphasizing the town’s generosity. He added that the donation wall isn’t just about him and his wife but reflects the spirit of the entire Barnesville community.
“After the fire, the Ohio Valley really came together for us,” A.J. said. “Through T-shirt donations and other efforts, they showed how much they cared. Since reopening, we’ve felt an obligation to give back, showing that same care and support to them.”
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