A Union County pizzeria owner has made it his mission to feed veterans in need one pizza at a time.

Dinner was on the house at Valley Brook Village in the Lyons section of Bernards Township Thursday evening – catered by Burim Regjaj, owner of Outta Hand Pizza in Westfield. Regjaj says that it is his way of giving back.

He says that the idea started last summer when a man came into his shop and struggled to pay for a slice of pizza.

“When he said that he was a veteran I got a little emotional. I couldn’t believe that people that gave up so much for our country, that they wouldn’t be able to afford a slice,” Regjaj says.

And that’s how the idea was born. Regjaj put the call out and donations started to pour in

“We had businesses come and pay for 20 meals at a time. We have residents come in to pick up a pizza and as soon as they see the notice they just pay for a full meal or two,” Regjaj says.

The veterans at Valley Brook Village says that they are grateful for the gesture.

"You go out and serve your country and then go home and you don't have nothing,” says Navy veteran Harry Lacy. “That's the main issue."

“It’s amazing that a restaurant or organization would reach out and give their time to help the fellow veterans when they’re in a time of need,” says Marine veteran Nathaniel Stokes.

Outta Hand Pizza will also be hosting veterans from Valley Brook for a meal at the restaurant next week.

“They served us. It’s our turn to serve them,” says Regjaj.