For the millions of individuals affected by the destruction caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, recovery activities are still ongoing.
Following the back-to-back hurricanes, a nonprofit from Kansas City has been serving hot meals in Florida for weeks.
Operation BBQ Relief, a local nonprofit organization, set a new record with their efforts in response to the devastation that spread from Florida to Appalachia.
“We’re here to serve, at the end of the day, that one hot meal that matters,” Co-founder and CEO Stan Hays stated. “It just may be today, it went out almost 59,000 times.”
In Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, Operation BBQ Relief has been distributing platters of the cuisine that Kansas City is famous for. On Monday, the team distributed a record 59,000 meals among the aid locations.
“I can’t do a lot. I can’t help them find a house, I can’t help them get shelter necessarily,” Hays stated. “But I can make sure that they can have a good, comforting hot meal.”
Ever since Hurricane Helene struck in September, around 600,000 meals have been distributed. In the past two days, relief operations for Hurricane Milton have delivered 100,000 meals.
“We’ve never had four locations doing the number of meals that we’ve done,” Hays stated. “Our warehouse has never been so bare.”
While relief work for Helene’s damages in Florida were in progress, Milton struck without causing any harm to the group’s equipment. After leaving Tampa, Operation BBQ Relief came back on Thursday night to continue providing food for people in need.
According to Hays, National Beef, Seaboard Foods, and Ferrell Gas, three Kansas City partner companies, assisted Operation BBQ Relief in replenishing supplies to satisfy the increased demand for meals.
“That to me is one of the greatest things that you see in humanity,” Hays stated. “Coming together as neighbors helping neighbors, and that’s something that never gets old.”
Read Also: Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Florida’s Neighbors Join Forces to Rebuild
However, they still have a lot of work to do. Throughout October, Operation BBQ Relief intends to remain in Florida. More helping hands are currently the organization’s biggest need.
“I would trade dollars for volunteers today so we didn’t tax everybody on the ground so much,” Hays stated.
Whether it’s assembling pork sandwiches at a disaster site or promoting the cause online, any kind of assistance is appreciated. You may find out how to give or find out more about volunteering with Operation BBQ Relief here.
KSHB: Operation BBQ Relief serves more than 600,000 meals following back-to-back hurricanes
