Hillsborough Pizza Owner Teams Up With NBA Legend To Feed Needy

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Akhtar Farzaie, owner of Bella Pizza in Hillsborough, has a long history of giving back to the community. Most recently he teamed up with former NBA New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley to help feed more than 700 homeless.

"I do it for the cause not for the applause," a humble Farzaie said.

Farzaie was hesitant to share his story but is hoping by doing so it will inspire others to give back.

Farzaie and Oakley’s friendship began in 2002 when the pair played on a charity pick up game together. Since then the pair remained friends. In 2005, Farzaie opened Bella Pizza at 340 S Branch Rd in Hillsborough.

"Oakley and I have a passion for cooking and helping others," Farzaie said. "That’s why I opened Bella Pizza. It was a passion of mine and I love the positive feedback and using my business as a platform to be able to give back to the community."

Then two years ago Oakley started the Charles Oakley Foundation in an effort to fight hunger in major cities across the country.

Farzaie joined Oakley last week in Nashville, Tennessee where they cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner over two days serving more than 700 homeless.

Oakley does a lot of the cooking himself even serving up his homemade macaroni and cheese.

"Akhtar always makes time when he can to give back to those in need anyway he can, something he has done for many years with me and with his pizzeria," Oakley said. “That's very rare nowadays and I'm grateful to call him my friend."

Farzaie said the feeling of helping others is something that can not be explained.

"Of course it feels great but it is more than that," Farzaie said. "I think it is more a sense of being able to help others and how can we do more. Yeah helping that day was great but it inspires me to do more."

"You don’t have to be celebrity to do it," Farzaie said. "Volunteer your time. The key is to inspire others."

For more information on Bella Pizza visit bellapizza1.com or call 908-369-5554.

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