Melfort pizza place awarded for community service

“At that time Lloyd and I, we were both working full-time jobs, just making ends meet,” Tara explained.

The family was back and forth from Melfort to Saskatoon while Rachel underwent surgery and treatment. That meant paying for an extra household in the bridge city.

While this was happening, local businesses put out donation jars and friends even offered to drive their older daughter Daytona to see her family in Saskatoon.

“There are not words to describe getting help when it’s genuinely needed,” she said.

“When things are really touch and go at the hospital it’s pretty hard to pull everything together and the community really helped in that aspect.”

The experience reinforced the community’s willingness to provide support.

A lot has changed since then. Rachel is now a healthy teen who just went to her last pediatric cardiologist appointment.

After working in the food business for years, Tara and Lloyd decided to open up TJ’s Pizza in Melfort four years ago.

Since the first day opening, where people lined up around the block, business has been steady.

While making pizzas has kept the owners busy, so has their involvement in the community.

They sponsor a variety of hockey teams and other sports, held an annual pizza-eating contest to support Telemiracle, and raised money for a girl receiving medical treatment overseas.

However, Muntain emphasizes that giving back doesn’t need to be financial.

Her husband and her sponsor the jersey for a young hockey player named Zach Summers, who has played provincially.

“So there’s the monetary. But also Lloyd has watched one of his games, I’ve gone to one of his games just to be able to see him play and cheer him on. It’s not just about ‘here’s a cheque, see you later, good luck.’ It’s about every time he comes in, talking to him about his play,” she said.

The couple also participates in a variety of community clubs and organizations.

This year, all of the community participation culminated in a national prize.

The Pizza with a Purpose award was given out by Canadian Pizza magazine.

“It’s phenomenal. It’s a pat on the back for doing something that any profitable business should do anyways,” Muntain said in reference to winning the award.

Along with a feature on TJ’s Pizza in the magazine, they will receive $2,500.

Muntain assures that the money will go back into the community.

This isn’t the first time TJ’s has gotten recognition. They’re also up for a provincial ABEX award for community involvement.

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk

by Chelsea Laskowski

Melfort pizza place awarded for community service

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