After deadly tornado, KC’s Operation BBQ Relief sends meals, volunteers to Kentucky
A Kansas City area non-profit has important cargo in tow as they head to Kentucky to help victims of a recent tornado that left dozens dead.
Operation BBQ Relief, which was founded in 2011, has served barbecue to victims of tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and wildfires, is on the road again, this time to Mayfield, Kentucky.
They are headed east to help victims in a series of deadly tornadoes that struck the Midwest over the weekend. Much of Mayfield, a town of 10,000 people, was leveled.
Though the total number of casualties is not yet known, at least eight people working at a Mayfield candle factory were killed, and eight others were missing as of Monday morning.
Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear has said he feared more than 100 people dead statewide, but on Sunday afternoon he estimated it could be closer to 50.
The barbecue team and volunteers are serving hot meals to first responders, utility workers and community members impacted by the recent devastation in Mayfield.
“A hot BBQ meal provides hope, comfort, and love,” Stan Hays, Co-Founder and CEO of Operation BBQ Relief, wrote on a GoFundMe page asking for financial donations to help the effort.
The relief team includes members and volunteers from Missouri, Tennessee and Florida.
More information on how to volunteer can be found on their website at https://operationbbqrelief.org/volunteer-obr/.
This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 7:34 AM.
