The BBQ community is a close-knit supportive group. If you’ve ever been in a BBQ competition you know how teams will help each other out.
Operation BBQ Relief has taken that support to a new level. OBR is a group of barbequers that show up at natural disasters and prepare meals for those affected and those that are working at the disaster area.
On May 22, 2011 the second deadliest tornado in U.S. history caused massive destruction in Southwest Missouri. Competition BBQ teams from eight states came to Joplin, MO to help feed displaced families and police, fire, National Guard and emergency personnel. The group served over 120,000 BBQ meals in less than two weeks.
As a result of efforts in Joplin, Operation BBQ Relief (a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation) was born.
Since then OBR members have prepared and served meals at disaster sites in Kansas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois.
To learn more about Operation BBQ Relief and how you can help visit their website at operationbbqrelief.org.