PUEBLO — A Pueblo Pizza company gave back to the community by feeding people at Posada's Elko Emergency Family Shelter on Friday afternoon.
Families were stoked to get a fresh pizza cooked by Wes Latka, the owner of SToKD Pizza. Latka initially opened for business in Denver in 2017 but quickly realized it wasn't an ideal location to have a business given his unique set up.
"Denver wasn't a great place to live because being a mobile unit we were just always stuck in traffic," said Latka.
Latka then realized he wanted a piece of the Pueblo pie, and he brought his business to the area in early 2020. He drives his oven to different venues around town, fires it up, and sells fresh pizza.
"We love it," said Latka. "We're just willing it on Pueblo and making it happen here."
What Latka also wanted to make happen was pizza with a purpose, and connecting with families in need. That's when he contacted Posada's Elko Emergency Shelter, which is the only temporary family shelter in Pueblo that takes in only families with children.
"Our pizza is so good that we just wanted to give people the opportunity to try it, whether you have money or you don't have money," said Latka.
Latka says it's all about giving those families an experience they may never have been fortunate enough to have before.
"It makes us feel great," said Latka. "We are fortunate enough to be able to give back, and that's really important to us."
The family shelter can host up to ten families temporarily, and Friday more than a handful of families, including children, were given free pizza.
