Pizzeria Raises Dough For Turkish Earthquake Victims

The tragedy unfolding in his native Turkey prompted Kadir Catalbasoglu to do what he usually does when people need help: He got busy.

Catalbasoglu has put together a fundraiser for victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that has claimed more than 7,000 lives and counting in Turkey and neighboring Syria. 

The fundraiser takes place Thursday at Brick Oven Pizza, the popular neighborhood spot Catalbasoglu has operated for a quarter century at the corner of Howe and Elm streets. Catalbasoglu will donate all revenues from customers that day to the earthquake relief effort coordinated through Turkey’s U.S. embassy.

“We’ll be cooking for the victims of the earthquake,” Catalbasoglu said during a conversation on the ​“Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s ​“LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. ​“I wanted to do something to help.” The restaurant is open daily from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Diyanet Mosque, the epicenter of the New Haven region’s 2,000-strong Turkish-American community, is also coordinating relief efforts. People can drop off new or like-new clothing at the mosque at 531 Middletown Ave. or direct financial donations through options pictured above.

Catalbasoglu moved to New Haven 30 years ago at the age of 22 from his native Giresun, Turkey (which produces an estimated 30 percent of the world’s hazelnuts). In addition to the pizzeria he has developed housing and built deep roots in the community. When people need food at holidays or a place for communal gatherings over food, Catalbasoglu eagerly helps.

After viewing the carnage and rescue efforts this week, he decided it was time to pull people together to help his homeland. ​“I still love my birthplace,” he said. ​“I feel the pain.”

You can watch the full conversation with Kadir Catalbasoglu on the ​“Word on the Street” segment of WNHHFM’s ​“LoveBabz LoveTalk” program in the video above.

Click here to subscribe to WNHH FM’s ​“LoveBabz LoveTalk” and here to subscribe to other WNHH programs.

Click here and see below for previous ​“Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.

Word On The Street: ICU Crew Lands At Bella’s
Word on the Street: Park Trees Preserved
Word On Springside: Hot Pile, Cooler Planet
Word On Winthrop: Mom/Daughter TCBs
Word On Whalley: Wings Rise; Neon Fades
Word On Beers Street: That’s The Drill
Word On The Street: Sisterhood Is Wow-erful
Word On The Street: 1st Step Taken
Word On The Street: New Loos Arrive
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:​“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her​“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:​“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone Homeless, & Working Exit 5 
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor​“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless 
​“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:​“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path »Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:​“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots