Thousands of New Jersey residents are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and some area pizzerias are playing their part to spread the word.

Gary Barbarulo, 61, works at Patsy's in Paterson, taking down dozens of orders each day. But he is still awaiting the call for a kidney transplant. He has been on a transplant list for over a year.

Throughout April, Patsy's and other pizzerias will send out their pies in boxes with the number of people waiting for an organ donation.

"It's so important for people to realize that donation and transplant is close to home. That there is probably someone in your community whose life has been or will soon be impacted by organ donation and transplant," says Elisse Glennon, vice president of the NJ Sharing Network.

NJ Sharing Network partnered with more than 130 restaurants to distribute 15,000 pizza boxes and 275,000 coffee sleeves.

Meanwhile, Barbarulo says the typical wait for a kidney in New Jersey is about two years. He says it is the longest wait of his life, but hopes it's coming soon.