Operation BBQ Relief Offers Expanded Disaster Response with Truck Donation from Heat & Glo® Fireplaces

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“This specialized truck is the largest overall single donation we’ve received to date,” said Stan Hays, executive director and co-founder of Operation BBQ Relief.

Pleasant Hill, Missouri (PRWEB) March 08, 2014

Operation BBQ Relief is pleased to announce expanded relief efforts thanks to a custom-designed truck donated by Heat & Glo® Fireplaces. The truck, which includes a 14-foot box fully equipped with thermostatically controlled ovens and refrigerators, will allow Operation BBQ Relief to better serve more individuals, in more locations, after disaster strikes.

Operation BBQ Relief is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that was founded in May 2011, when competition barbecue teams from eight states banded together to feed tornado-stricken residents in Joplin, Missouri. Since that time, Operation BBQ Relief has expanded to offer meals, hope and friendship to communities across the United States adversely affected by natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires.

“This specialized truck is the largest overall single donation we’ve received to date,” said Stan Hays, executive director and co-founder of Operation BBQ Relief. “It will allow us to do more than ever before, and we are grateful to Heat & Glo for their generosity.”

When disaster strikes, Operation BBQ Relief volunteers mobilize and provide not only meals, but emotional reprieve. For many people, the familiar sights and smells of a traditional American barbecue can restore feelings of normalcy and emotional relief in the midst of tragedy, even if temporarily. And it’s making a difference. To date, Operation BBQ Relief has provided support for 18 natural disasters in 16 states, and has served meals to more than 500,000 people.

“Heat & Glo shares Operation BBQ Relief’s values of hard work, respect and compassion,” said Bob Ballard, senior vice president of Marketing at Heat & Glo. “We are delighted to support their efforts with this donation, which will help broaden their reach serving disaster-stricken communities.”

The Chevy box truck is currently being manufactured and is expected to be completed and delivered to Operation BBQ Relief this summer. Watch for updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HeatandGlo, http://www.Facebook.com/OperationBBQRelief, and Twitter @HeatandGlo, @OpBBQRelief.

About Operation BBQ Relief®
Operation BBQ Relief, Inc. was founded in May, 2011 by Stan Hays, Jeff Stith and Will Cleaver after they planned and implemented a large relief effort in Joplin, Missouri. Competition barbecue teams from eight states responded to Joplin in the wake of the massive EF5 tornado that destroyed a large part of that community, killing more than 140 people. The group served over 120,000 meals in eleven days to displaced families and emergency response personnel. The organization has since also responded to seven other natural disasters in Kansas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Texas. They are preparing to repeat these operations anywhere in the United States where natural disasters threaten the lives and safety of our citizens. There is never a charge for a meal from Operation BBQ Relief, Inc. For more information, please visit http://www.OperationBBQRelief.org.

About Heat & Glo®
Heat & Glo has been the fireplace industry leader in design and innovative technology since its inception by brothers Ron and Dan Shimek in 1975. The brand pioneered direct vent gas technology in 1987 and revolutionized the way fireplaces operate in the years that followed. Today, Heat & Glo continues to develop unmatched technologies, materials and designs in a full line of fireplaces, inserts and accessories. It is the most award-winning U.S. fireplace brand and has been granted more patents than any hearth manufacturer. Heat & Glo is headquartered in Lakeville, Minn. and is a brand of Hearth and Home Technologies. For more information, please visit http://www.HeatnGlo.com.

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