Boys & Girls Club’s World Record Pizza Party Kneads a Vegan Option, PETA Says—And We’ll Deliver!

For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2025

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

After learning that the Boys & Girls Club of Newark’s upcoming attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest pizza party will be catered by Papa John’s—which doesn’t offer any vegan cheese—PETA sent a letter today to Clubhouse Director Portia Askew, serving up a supreme offer: PETA will provide all the animal-friendly fromage they’d need to make sure everyone gets a seat at the table, free of charge.

In the letter, PETA notes that offering vegan cheese pizza would be kind to cows and inclusive of the many people who have dumped dairy out of concern for the animals, the planet, or their own health—or because they’re one of the millions of Americans who are lactose intolerant.

“Vegan pizza topped with melty dairy-free shreds is a grate choice for everyone, delivering tons of flavor with none of the cruelty, cholesterol, or tummy trouble that cow’s milk causes,” says PETA Vice President Danielle Katz. “PETA is encouraging the Boys & Girls Club of Newark to invite everyone to the party with tasty vegan slices.”

PETA notes that cows make friends and mourn when a loved one dies or when they’re separated from each other, yet in the dairy industry, female cows are forcibly impregnated and have their beloved calves stolen from them so the milk meant to nourish their babies can be sold to humans. Newborn males are routinely slaughtered for veal, while female calves endure the same fate as their mothers until their bodies wear out and they’re sent to slaughter.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. PETA’s free vegan starter kit can help anyone looking to make the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Askew follows.

Portia Askew

Clubhouse Director

Boys & Girls Club of Newark

Dear Ms. Askew:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)— PETA entities have more than 10.4 million members and supporters worldwide, including many in New Jersey—with a request to make the Guinness World Records Attempt for Largest Pizza Party animal-friendly by including delicious vegan cheese pizza. PETA would be happy to provide the Boys and Girls Club of Newark vegan cheese free of charge.

Eating cheese made from cow’s milk is so last century. Many compassionate folks are ditching dairy because mother cows are forcibly manually impregnated over and over again, so they’ll constantly produce milk that humans steal and make into cheese. Workers take their babies away within hours of birth, causing distress to both mother and infant. This cycle of pain and loss continues until the mothers’ bodies are worn down from constant pregnancies and they’re slaughtered.

This move to add vegan cheese pizzas would make the event more enticing for those who don’t consume dairy for medical reasons. About 70% of the human population is lactose intolerant, including up to 80% of Black Americans and Latin Americans. Plus, nearly one-third of youth today are incorporating vegan milks into their meals several times a week. Let’s follow their lead and include dairy-free cheese that everyone can enjoy without the cruelty, cholesterol, or upset stomachs that cow’s milk causes.

Since Papa John’s, the company providing pizza for the event, does not currently offer vegan cheese, we’d be happy to meet with you to discuss logistics and provide the delicious dairy-free cheese. Will the Boys and Girls Club of Newark let kindness be the topping that sets this world record apart?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Danielle Katz

Vice President of Campaigns
PETA