The historic flood in Eastern Kentucky on July 28th devastated communities across several counties. Operation BBQ Relief was immediately on the ground less than 24 hours after the flood to meet with local officials to assess need, survey sites, and determine safety for the Operation BBQ Relief team to arrive. Behind the scenes, Operation BBQ Relief was in constant communication with local, state, and national agencies to strategically serve the hard hit areas. It’s a herculean effort.
We are grateful for the volunteers from 24 states that helped us serve 98,464 meals over 27 days in Eastern Kentucky. We love hearing from our new friend Veronica about the impact of sharing the healing power of BBQ. Turn up the volume and listen to Veronica as she beautifully highlights why our mission is so important.
“Myself, my family, and our entire community would like for you to get the word to the Operation BBQ Relief folks, the people who have been cooking these meals, and please tell them they have been a true blessing to our community lately.
People are still in a complete panic state of mind. So many have lost homes. So many have lost loved ones. Nobody’s minds are working. Hot weather, nobody’s cooking. No water, can’t wash dishes. Some people still don’t have electricity.
These meals have saved so many lives. All the people are trying to work on cleanup efforts. Not knowing what to do, where to turn, but they know where they can come and get a good, hot meal. And they’re very nutritious meals too.
They are really appreciated. I really wish that you could get this message to them. And tell them they don’t know how much it is appreciated. The meals are getting to our relief centers. And then lots of our volunteers here are riding 4-wheelers and side-by-sides and taking food, the food these people fixed. They are taking them and transporting them up in these little side road that are still washed out.
No vehicles can transport up through there. These people are taking their side-by-sides and taking the meals house to house, delivering these meals to people. Those little side roads, people laugh at us, we’re hillbillies okay, we call those hollers. There’s lots of people up in those hollers though. So if you can, please get this message out to those Operation BBQ Relief folks and tell them, they have taken one less worry away from so many people who have lost everything.”
Veronica Sue Collins
Blackey, KY
