From the Heart
November 2020
Message from CEO
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, the Operation BBQ Relief family extends our gratitude to all our supporters and volunteers that helped serve over 5.5 million meals in 2020. The pandemic combined with a historic disaster season brought new challenges to Operation BBQ Relief. It is because of your generosity and support that we were able to provide over 580,000 disaster response meals from August to October and additional meals through The Always Serving Project.
Even though our disaster response slowed down during blue sky days in November, Operation BBQ Relief continued to address the fight on hunger through The Always Serving Project. In Toms River, NJ, a drive thru pick up service was organized to provide meals through the Days of Giving program. Operation BBQ Relief honored veterans by assisting with several events throughout the country. BBQ Basics took place in Tacoma, WA as pitmasters taught veterans the craft of smoking and grilling various meats. I personally had the chance to cook and serve steak chili to homeless veterans in Kansas City, MO on Veterans Day to show appreciation for our nation’s heroes.
The mission of Operation BBQ Relief continues to impact lives and we are extremely grateful to each of you for your support.
We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Stan Hays
CEO and Co-Founder
Thank You from Lake Charles
Operation BBQ Relief received this heartfelt note from a family that endured the challenges of double hurricanes and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are so very thankful to Operation BBQ Relief for this special dinner! We expected 3 plate dinners..not this! Feeling truly blessed!”
-Family of 6 in Lake Charles, LA
Why volunteer with Operation BBQ Relief?
“I made the decision to volunteer in Louisiana before the storm even made landfall. When I saw how quickly this storm grew, I knew there would be lots of damage, property destroyed and lives changed. What I didn’t know is that I would have the privilege to deliver hot meals to residents still trying to survive in what was left of their homes.
We found an apartment complex in which a few residents were sitting outside, mostly because on this extremely hot and humid day in coastal Louisiana, they didn’t have power, didn’t have running water, a few didn’t have windows and some didn’t have a roof left over what was left of their unit.
To be able to provide a hot meal to those families, wasn’t just about the food. It’s about being there. It’s about listening. It’s about hope. I truly felt it was an honor to be able to serve them the one hot meal that matters.”
-Becca, OBR Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering, sign up by going to the App store and downloading the Operation BBQ Relief App or at the following link – https://volunteers.operationbbqrelief.org/registration
Limited Edition Holiday Ornament
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Operation BBQ Relief Smoke Device
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