BBQ 058: Will Cleaver Co-Founder Operation BBQ Relief 2 of 2

Operation BBQ Relief was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for relief efforts in tornado-stricken Joplin, Missouri, a community of about 50,000 residents. Volunteers from competition BBQ teams from eight states answered the need to help feed displaced families, police, fire, National Guard and emergency personnel.

We were able to serve over 120,000 meals over 13 days. Food was delivered to shelters, hospitals, senior living communities and the Humane Society. Volunteers loaded food into vehicles and delivered directly to families in the impacted areas. The operation was made possible by all who contributed food and supplies and funding from across the country.

Operation BBQ Relief continues to respond to natural disasters and other situations to help feed displaced residents and emergency personnel.

Will Cleaver went to school in southeast KS at Pitt State University in Pittsburg, KS (about 30 minutes from Joplin) on the night of the tornado him and his wife were listening to a police scanner hoping it wasn’t as bad as it sounded on the scanner. They had a lot of memories and friends in and around Joplin. When they woke up in the morning the news showed the devastation. He went online and found Operation BBQ Relief for Joplin on Facebook. Will knew Stan and Jeff but only from competing against them. He remembers talking to his wife and her looking at him like “Why are you still standing here?” Will reached out to Stan and was soon on his way to help.

"I have looked for different ways I could possibly make a difference in this world, with OBR I feel like my talents and convictions can best be used to help others in times of need." -Will Cleaver

https://operationbbqrelief.org/volunteer/

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