The People of Hope

02/20/2026

A true hero, Mr. Gary Sinise definitely inspire us in doing a little more to bring hope and comfort. We are honored to partner with the Gary Sinise Foundation in conjunction with our initiative Pizza for a Smile.

02/18/2026

Watch Master Chef Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco DTLA and Pizzeria Bianco putting his heart and talent in crafting a pizza, in the same way we would craft and decorate a present to be given to a family member or friend.
Because the talented hands behind the initiative Pizza for a Smile do just that: create and craft pizzas as a gift to those less fortunate then us.

We are grateful to Chef Bianco for his support to our initiative, and to be the outstanding spokesperson.

Make a difference by donating to https://pizzaforasmile.org/donate

02/15/2026

We are The People of Hope. Just releasing our new animated logo. We hope you like it!

02/13/2026

With the launch of this initiative, The People of Hope intend to change the way we bring nourishment to those in need here in the United States of America. We are committed to nourishing the physical and spiritual needs of those who are hungry. Pizza offers both experiences perfectly, and we couldn't be prouder to draw on our Italian culture and cuisine to help those facing significant health and spiritual challenges.

Watch Master Chef Ciro Iovine from Song E Napule NYC putting his heart and talent in crafting a pizza, in the same way we would craft and decorate a present to be given to a family member or friend.

Because the talented hands behind the initiative Pizza for a Smile do just that: create and craft pizzas as a gift to those less fortunate then us.

Make a difference by donating to https://pizzaforasmile.org/donate

02/11/2026

We love our animated logo! Don't you? Pizza for a Smile!

02/09/2026

Like every year, today, February 9, 2026, we celebrates National Pizza Day, one of America's all-time favorite foods. Whether it is authentic Neapolitan pizza, thin crust, Chicago-style, deep dish, or anything in between, pizza remains an American favorite.

Watch Sebastian Lamonarca, Pizza for a Smile's inspirer Ambassador at Large, as he interviews Chris Bianco, Award-Winning Chef of Pizzeria Bianco DTLA and Pizzeria Bianco, and Pizza for a Smile's Spokesperson, on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the initiative Pizza for a Smile, at the Drago Centro in Los Angeles.

Celebrate the National Pizza Day by supporting our campaign by bringing communities together in a spirit of sharing and joy, with pizza becoming a symbol of not just a type of comfort food to nourish the body but also a means to lift one’s spirit through togetherness and a smile.

https://pizzaforasmile.org/donate

01/27/2026

From being the inspiration behind the initiative, to be a host and reporter. Sebastian is working hard to expand the "Pizza for a Smile" initiative in all corners of the United States of America, and soon launch it in Italy.

Here he is interviewing legendary chef Chris Bianco and the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini.



Pizzeria Bianco DTLA Pizzeria Bianco Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles

01/21/2026

We did it! We extend our gratitude to Pizzeria Bianco DTLA and Chef Chris Bianco for their outstanding support in helping us securing the first 2,000 pizzas that will be provided throughout the 2026 to the kids in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, via our partner No Kid Hungry.

With the launch of the initiative "Pizza for a Smile," The People of Hope aims to change the way we bring nourishment to those in need here in the United States of America. We are committed to feed those affected by food insecurity and hunger, both physically and spiritually. A pizza offers both experiences perfectly, and we couldn't be prouder to draw on our Italian culture and cuisine to help those facing significant health and spiritual challenges.

Thanks to Celebrated Chef Chris Bianco, Sebastian Lamonarca, Consul General of Italy in Los Angele Raffaella Valentini, and Grammy Award Artist David Longoria for being our advocates.

Thanks also to Chef Celestino Drago at Drago Centro Centro for hosting us and supporting our event, and to the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Los Angeles for their patronage to the initiative.

If you love pizza, like we do, like and share.

01/16/2026

Second milestone reached. We extend our gratitude to Song E Napule NYC, and Chef Ciro Iovine for their outstanding support in helping us securing the first 2,000 pizzas that will be provided throughout the 2026 to the kids in the New York Metropolitan Area thanks to our partner No Kid Hungry.

With the launch of the initiative "Pizza for a Smile," The People of Hope aims to change the way we bring nourishment to those in need here in the United States of America. We are committed to feed those affected by food insecurity and hunger, both physically and spiritually. A pizza offers both experiences perfectly, and we couldn't be prouder to draw on our Italian culture and cuisine to help those facing significant health and spiritual challenges.

Thanks to TV anchor Rob Astorino, singer and entertainer Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti, and Sebastian Lamonarca for being our advocates.

If you love pizza, like we do, like and share.

01/15/2026

First milestone reached. We extend our gratitude to il Canale, Joe Farruggio, and Alessandro Farruggio for their outstanding support in helping us securing the first 2,000 pizzas that will be provided throughout the 2026 to the kids in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

With the launch of the initiative "Pizza for a Smile," The People of Hope aims to change the way we bring nourishment to those in need here in the United States of America. We are committed to feed those affected by food insecurity and hunger, both physically and spiritually. A pizza offers both experiences perfectly, and we couldn't be prouder to draw on our Italian culture and cuisine to help those facing significant health and spiritual challenges.

Thanks to TV anchor Erin Como for being our advocate.

If you love pizza, like we do, like and share.

10/10/2025

In 2023 we launched "The People of Hope," which empowers participants to seed the world with kindness through collaboration in nurturing promising initiatives that bloom into hope for a brighter tomorrow and a more humane world.

Sebastian joined in this adventure, and he launched his new initiative: "Moments of Joy," a program dedicated to bringing light to children facing their darkest days. Now, becoming a call to action for all of us—children and adults alike—to practice daily kindness and create positive change in our communities and beyond.

You can listen to his motivation as he was interviewed to discuss his initiative in Rome, this past July. We are mostly proud of him, as indeed he had first thought to offer special plush toys to these children, and when he was told that due to security and health issues those could not be accepted, he did not back up his original plan, and actually accepted to implement it by offering children's books. Not any children's book, but 100 Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.

Although at first he was a little demotivated in being not able to offer plush toys, he found reasons that did not discourage him to do good and help the kids affected by cancer, and asked his father to help him reviewing his plan accordingly, so that in the end he might have been able to delivery "Moments of Joy" and help the children that suffers.

A big reason to be proud of him, and one that we all shall be learning from.

If you wish to learn more or support The People of Hope and Sebastian's initiative, please, visit https://thepeopleofhope.org/momentsofjoy

Gratitude for the interview to journalist Paola Arriaza

08/21/2025

Like his millions of fans around the world, we are saddened to have learned about the passing of Judge Frank Caprio, who passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, yesterday August 20th.

Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond. His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

In his honor, the family asked that we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day.

His kindness and compassion was contagious, to the level that he did inspire Sebastian to create the initiative Moments of Joy.

Thank you, Judge Frank Caprio. We will do our best to honor your legacy in the years to come. Rest in peace.

In January 2024, a meeting with the "World Kindest' Judge," Judge Frank Caprio, left a lasting impression on Sebastian, emphasizing the significance of consistent kindness. This seed of inspiration took root later that year during a family trip abroad, where Sebastian learned about the challenges faced by young cancer patients in Italian hospitals.