pizza monkey

Hi friend!

You've probably found this page because you're a friend or a friend of a friend. Welcome to our odd little non-business venture! Our goal is to raise money for local food-focused nonprofits. Each month, we'll select an organization and ask our friends to donate (we recommend $10 - $15 per 10-inch pizza) directly to that organization. Send us a copy of your receipt, and we'll make you a pizza to celebrate. You can take it home with you or enjoy it on our deck. More details are below, but that's the basic idea.

Update: The next Pizza Monkey Night will be in May 2025.

More details

Subscribe to our mailing list (below) and once a month, when the weather looks favorable and the stars align, we'll notify you about the date and time of the next Pizza Monkey Night. We'll offer two kinds of pizza, at least one of which will be vegetarian. There will be 35 pizzas up for grabs to the first people to respond. You can reserve one or two pizzas (and donate to the nonprofit accordingly). We'll confirm your reservation, and you'll send us a copy (screenshot, photo, whatever works) of your donation receipt within two days. You'll also let us know which half-hour window (from 5:00 to 7:30) you'll be stopping by for your pizza. This way not everyone will show up all at once and have to stand around waiting for pizza. We won't make your pizza until you arrive so that it's fresh from the oven. If you plan to eat on our spacious deck, feel free to bring your own beverage, salad, whatever.

About our pizza

We've experimented with a lot of pizza styles and dough recipes over the years, and for now we've settled on a Roman-style dough that, in addition to water, flour, salt, and yeast, has olive oil and a little sugar. It ferments in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, slowly developing a satisfying flavor such that few people consider leaving the "bones" behind. We let the dough warm to room temperature and stretch and toss it to the desired width. Then we artfully arrange some tasty toppings and slide it into our Gozney Roccbox pizza oven at 750F for a couple of minutes. Below are a few recent pies. We've started sharing our pizza on Instagram via our @pizzamonkey4good handle and on Facebook.

Pizza Monkey so far...

tldr; After twenty-one Pizza Monkey Nights, our guests have contributed  $22,732.38 to local food-related nonprofits in Bloomington, Indiana.

2023

Our first official Pizza Monkey night was June 16, 2023. We offered two kinds of pizza: Chim-chim-cher-ee featuring portabello mushrooms, mozzarella, and chimichurri (a sort of Latin American pesto with no nuts); and Come to Cheezus with tomato sauce, a variety of cheeses, and some fresh oregano and thyme from our garden. Six people reserved a total of 7 pizzas and contributed $145 for the Farm to Family Fund. They had a 3-to-1 matching grant, which meant that $145 became $580!

Our second Pizza Monkey Night was July 21, 2023. The pizza choices were Taste of Indonesia featuring chicken satay (or tofu), peanut sauce, monterey jack, and cilantro; and the ever-popular Come to Cheezus. Fourteen people reserved a total of 23 pizzas and contributed $469.25 (including transaction fees) for the Community Kitchen of Monroe County.

Our third Pizza Monkey Night was August 18, 2023.  The two kinds of pizza were Summertime with homemade pesto, fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and an option to add some of our homemade Italian sausage; and once again we offered Come to Cheezus because it continues to be a hit among the Friends of Pizza Monkey (FoPM). Fifteen people reserved 23 pizzas and contributed a total of $555 to the Meals on Wheels Groceries to Go program.

Our fourth Pizza Monkey Night was September 15, 2023. The two kinds of pizza were Bueno Noshes with homemade chipotle sauce, grilled chicken, cotija cheese, and goat cheese. Optional toppings included pickled jalapenos/red onion/corn, cilantro, and crema; and perennial favorite Come to Cheezus  with homemade tomato sauce, a secret blend of cheeses, and fresh oregano and thyme from our garden. Fourteen people reserved 24 pizzas and contributed a total of $610.29 to Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.

Our fifh Pizza Monkey Night was October 13, 2023. The Princess Buttercup pizza featured butternut squash roasted with sage and rosemary, caramelized onion, fontina and mozzarella cheeses; optional condiments include spiced pumpkin seeds, maple syrup drizzle, and our smoked chile powder. And as usual we also offered Come to Cheezus. Fifteen people reserved 28 pizzas and contributed a total of $1,563 to Hoosier Hills Food Bank (thanks to a $1,000 matching donation from some anonymous FoPMs).

Our sixth Pizza Monkey Night was November 17, 2023. The All Choked Up pizza featured creamy pesto sauce, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and Monterey Jack cheese; prosciutto was offered as an option. And as usual we also offered Come to Cheezus, this time with a pepperoni option. Twelve people reserved 21 pizzas and contributed a total of $1,005 to Farm to Family Fund (thanks to a $500 matching donation from some anonymous FoPMs).

2024

Our seventh Pizza Monkey Night was January 12, 2024. The Yardbird pizza featured roasted chicken (or tofu), cherry-chipotle barbecue sauce, and Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses; several folks opted for some pineapple on those along with cilantro and red onion. And as usual we also offered Come to Cheezus with a pepperoni option. Fifteen people reserved 26 pizzas and contributed a total of $615 to Pantry 279.

Our eighth Pizza Monkey Night was February 09, 2024, National Pizza Day! The Saltimbocca pizza featured prosciutto, sage, fresh mozzarella, and garlic oil. And as usual we also offered Come to Cheezus with a pepperoni option. Eighteen people reserved 27 pizzas and contributed a total of $680 to the Bloomington Community Orchard. Update: We learned that an anonymous donor to the Orchard was matching donations during our February event, so the total donations were $2,040!

Our ninth Pizza Monkey Night was March 15, 2024. To celebrate St. Patrick's Day and in honor of our Irish ancestors, this month's special pizza was Sláinte featuring thinly sliced fried potato, cooked and pureed cabbage and cream, and homemade corned beef (or tofu) with a horseradish cream sauce to drizzled on top. Our second pizza was the beloved Come to Cheezus with tomato sauce, a variety of cheeses, some oregano and thyme, and optional pepperoni slices. Sixteen people reserved 26 pizzas and contributed a total of $500 to Hoosier Hills Food Bank. And once again some anonymous FoPMs donated an additional $1,000, making a total of $1,500!

Our tenth Pizza Monkey Night was April 12, 2024. The pizza choices were Greece is the Word featuring roasted red pepper sauce, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, red onion, feta, mozzarella, and fresh oregano; and the ever-popular Come to Cheezus. Fourteen people reserved a total of 26 pizzas and contributed $770.47 (including transaction fees) for the Community Kitchen of Monroe County. 

Our eleventh Pizza Monkey Night was May 17, 2024. This month's special was Shadow of a Trout with lemon ricotta, smoked trout, asparagus, Parmesan, and a drizzle of tarragon aioli; and as always we also offered Come to Cheezus. Fourteen people reserved a total of 24 pizzas and contributed $565.00 to Bloomington Meals on Wheels.

Our twelfth Pizza Monkey Night was June 21, 2024. This month's special was Esquites with charred corn in a Mexican crema/ricotta mix with crumbled Cotija cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice; Tajín and cilantro were optional. As always we also offered Come to Cheezus. Fourteen people reserved a total of 24 pizzas and contributed $790.63 to Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.

Our thirteenth Pizza Monkey Night was July 19, 2024. This month's special was Princess Peach with peaches, ricotta, prosciutto, mint, basil, and a balsamic glaze. As always we also offered Come to Cheezus. Seventeen people reserved a total of 27 pizzas and contributed $895.00 to Pantry 279.

Our fourteenth Pizza Monkey Night was August 16, 2024. This month's special was All Zooked Out with pesto, mozzarella, marinated zucchini, garden tomatoes, and feta. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Eighteen people reserved a total of 32 pizzas and contributed $849.79 to Slice Out Hunger's Summer Slice-a-Thon.

Our fifteenth Pizza Monkey Night was September 13, 2024. This month's special was HisPanic at the Disco with salsa verde, homemade chorizo, and cotija cheese, with optional pickled red onions and pickled jalapenos. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Nineteen people reserved a total of 35 pizzas and contributed $925.00 to Farm to Family Fund. And thanks to a 2-to-1 matching grant, they will receive a total of $3700.00

Our sixteenth Pizza Monkey Night was October 18, 2024. This month's special was Fruit Doesn't Belong on a Pizza with thinly sliced apple, smoked mozzarella, and curry oil. Optionally, we added some homemade Indian-spiced sausage and/or fig "salami." We also offered Come to Cheezus. Twenty-one people reserved a total of 37 pizzas and contributed $1,008.00 to the Bloomington Community Orchard.

Our seventeenth Pizza Monkey Night was November 15, 2024. This month's special was Samosa Pijja with spiced potatoes and peas, white korma sauce (no nuts), tandoori onions, and a mint chutney. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Twenty people reserved a total of 36 pizzas and contributed $875.00 to Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

2025

Our eighteenth Pizza Monkey Night was January 17, 2025. This month's special was Snowy Woods with fontina-rosemary cream sauce, roasted mushrooms and onions, mozzarella, an optional splash of brown beef gravy, and a scattering of parsley optimistically expressing the coming springtime. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Twenty people reserved a total of 37 pizzas and contributed $998.80 to Community Kitchen of Monroe County.

Our nineteenth Pizza Monkey Night was February 21, 2025. This month's special was Rosa with Parmesan, rosemary, red onion, pistachios, and a drizzle of olive oil. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Twenty-four people reserved a total of 41 pizzas and contributed $1,310.00 to Bloomington Meals on Wheels.

Our twentieth Pizza Monkey Night was March 14, 2025. This month's special was Twisted Swisster with Gruyere and Swiss cheeses, deconstructed rösti, caramelized onion, optional bacon, Parmesan, and a drizzle of caper-infused milk aioli. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Twenty people reserved a total of 36 pizzas and contributed $1,097.15 to The Hub (aka Mother Hubbard's Cupboard).

Our twentieth-first Pizza Monkey Night was April 11, 2025. This month's special was Wabbit Season with caramelized carrot-ginger sauce, multi-colored roasted carrot slices, feta, and a pesto of carrot tops, mint, ginger, garlic, and jemon juice/zest. We also offered Come to Cheezus. Twenty people reserved a total of 36 pizzas and contributed $935.00 to The Pantry 279.

Our next Pizza Monkey Night will be in May. Subscribe to our mailing list to become a FoPM and get in on the fun!