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WHEREAS, Helen Pelc Mannarino, Founder and CEO of Pierogies Plus, has been named Outstanding Polonian of the year by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation, a cultural and educational organization; and,
WHEREAS, in 1974, Helen came to Pittsburgh from Poland, married Gerald Mannarino in 1975 and became a stay-at-home mom to their son Jamie; and,
WHEREAS, many years later, she decided to open her own business. In 1991, Helen acquired a loan from the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and, using her management and culinary skills she learned in her native Poland, she converted a vacant gas station in McKees Rocks PA into what has become an important regional culinary landmark, Pierogies Plus, Inc.; and,
WHEREAS, she has hired mostly women immigrants from Eastern Europe who share her values of hard work and passion for their culture's food traditions, but may lack the necessary experience or language skills to enter the regular workforce; and,
WHEREAS, Pierogies Plus pierogis are sold at many grocery stores and local farms, and served at numerous restaurants and caterers around Western Pennsylvania. In addition, the business has been featured in many local, national and international media outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, whose readers voted Pierogies Plus pierogis the "Best in the Burg" for many years; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mannarino is a woman of humility and strong faith who owes her success to her Lord and considers herself very blessed. She returns the blessing by supporting many charitable initiatives and donates menu items for special events such as the American Council for Polish Culture's annual convention; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby congratulate Helen Mannarino for being named Polonian of the Year and commend her for over 28 years of hard work, compassion and loyalty to her native Poland; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pi...
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