Jersey Mike’s Subs locations across Pennsylvania are turning sandwiches into support, raising money to help send Special Olympics athletes to the 2026 USA Games.
At sandwich shops across Western Pennsylvania, every sub sold on Wednesday will aid nearly 100 local qualifying athletes planning to compete on a national stage in Minneapolis in June.
Participating locations in Pittsburgh, Erie and Altoona will be donating 100% of sales to the Special Olympics, the world’s largest nonprofit sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Every four years, nearly 3,000 athletes from all 50 states compete in the Special Olympics USA Games. This year Pennsylvania athletes will be competing across 11 different sports.
Ambridge resident Gabriel Davis will be competing on Team Pennsulvania’s basketball team for the first time.
On Wednesday, Davis was camped out in his nearest Jersey Mike’s location in Cranberry for the fundraiser.
Davis said the money is used to provide athletes with equipment and transportation.
“It really means a lot to the athletes,” said Davis, who is 20.
A few years ago, Davis received a brand new pair of Nike sneakers paid for by the fundraising.
“It really helped to improve my game,” Davis said.
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games – co-presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs and UnitedHealthcare — are scheduled for June 20-26 across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine.
Special Olympics Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Andrew Fee said the fundraiser’s goal was to exceed last year’s record-breaking national fundraising total of $30 million.
Since Month of Giving began in 2011, Jersey Mike’s has raised more than $143 million for local charities.
Andrew “Andy” Manzo, Jersey Mike’s franchise owner and area director operating Central and Western Pennsylvania, said people were buying as much food as they could to help support the Special Olympics Wednesday afternoon.
“Its great to get everyone on board with one charity,” Manzo said.
To see a complete list of participating Jersey Mike’s locations visit the website.
