TOMS RIVER – The nonprofit Operation BBQ Relief will be serving 500 meals to people in need on Friday, April 17 from 2-4 p.m. at the parking lot of Presbyterian Church Toms River at 1070 Hooper Ave.
This organization has helped Toms River three times in the past, including one time helping Superstorm Sandy victims. They have served 3.2 million meals since starting in 2011 in the wake of a tornado disaster.
To limit social interactions, the meals will be served drive-through style. Residents are asked to keep their windows closed and the servers will put the food into the trunk or truck bed.
“Drawing from experiences serving after natural disasters, Operation BBQ Relief has the ability to effectively and efficiently provide thousands of meals in a short amount of time while still abiding by Center for Disease Control social distancing group gathering guidelines,” said David Keith, Operation BBQ Area Coordinator for New Jersey and owner of DRJ Catering. “A hot meal provides hope, compassion, and comfort during a pandemic that creates several levels of uncertainty.”
Mayor Maurice B. Hill said, “We are so grateful for DRJ Catering and Operation BBQ helping to feed our residents with a delicious barbecue meal during these difficult times. They have been a great partner with us in the past and I cannot thank them enough for their generosity to our community.”
Operation BBQ Relief is connecting with closed restaurants to make the meals, empowering them to open their doors and bring their staff back to work as partners in the newly established program Operation Restaurant Relief. They utilize the restaurant kitchens and staff to prepare meals for their local communities.
Individuals interested in supporting Operation BBQ Relief can go to obr.org and sign up as a volunteer or donate.
