Vincenzo Avanzato Delivers

Pasta Fundraiser Proceeds

$3,000 Delivered To Mayor of Amatrice

By LIBBY CUDMORE • for www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – Stella Luna’s Bucatini all’Amatriciana may be the ultimate in comfort food.

Tony and Vinne Avanzato began serving the pasta dish, famous in Amatrice, Italy, as a fundraiser after the Aug. 24 earthquake that devastated the town.  “Our friends over there told us there were foundations we could donate to, but they would take 20-30 percent,” said Tony.  “I said, ‘Not gonna happen!’ People are giving their hard-earned money. It should go to the people who need it.”

Instead, the brothers offered to donate 100 percent of the sale of the dish directly to the town.  At $20 a plate, they sold 95 throughout the month of September, which, when added to additional donations, added up to $3,000. “It was a home run,” said Tony. “We weren’t sure if it was going to happen, but I said, ‘We have to stay positive’.”

Vinne had already planned to go to Italy to visit family this month, and took with him a certified check for the full amount.  He was able to track down Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi, and was hailed as a hero in the town.  “People were thanking him for giving back,” said Tony.  “They were so happy that an Italian-American was giving back to his country.  They even told him they wished more Italians were as generous as we were!”