Operation BBQ Relief Bringing Meals For Needy To Toms River

TOMS RIVER NJ — Operation Barbeque Relief, which has been serving hot meals to help those in need, will be in Toms River on Saturday providing meals.

The meals are set to be served at The Hope Center, 253 Chestnut St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 1,000 meals will be served.

The event was coordinated through the Hope Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization initiated by the Clergy Association of Greater Toms River. The Hope Center will be doing a winter coat drive. Residents can pick up free coats, blankets, hats, scarves, gloves and diapers.

The food distribution will be performed drive-through style. Please keep your windows closed and pop the trunk and volunteers will deliver the food to the trunk or truck bed of your vehicle.

"Operation BBQ Relief has been providing hot meals to residents in need before and throughout the pandemic," Toms River Mayor Maurice B. Hill said. "We are very thankful that they will be providing hot meals to the residents of Toms River again this year, particularly as we near the Thanksgiving holiday."

"It is always amazing to see what that hot meal can do for someone and we are glad we can do our small part to help our neighbors," said David Keith, the area coordinator for New Jersey.

Operation BBQ Relief was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri. Competitive pit masters from eight different states answered the call to feed displaced families and first responders. They served more than 120,000 meals in 13 days.

To date, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 8 million meals throughout the United States and internationally following natural disasters and through The Always Serving Project, benefiting the homeless, first responders, veterans, and service men and women.