HOUSTON -- A group of Kansas City pitmasters hit the road this week to set up shop in flood-worn southeastern Texas with the express goal of providing hurricane victims with something nearly all Texans can appreciate: a hot plate of BBQ.
Operation BBQ Relief, a group of pitmasters who respond during natural disasters, sent 100 volunteers to Houston to prepare food for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and the record flooding that followed.
The American Royal and its World Series of BBQ competition kicks off Friday at noon at Kansas Speedway, and is one of OBR's biggest fundraising opportunities. All of the proceeds will go right back to those in need when disaster strikes.
Four teams from the Houston area were scheduled to be in the World Series of BBQ competition at Kansas Speedway this weekend, but one couldn't make the trip. Many of the teams in KCK shared mixed emotions about being at the competition rather than in Houston to help.
“I had a great group of volunteers to help us get equipment out here. It’s a little bit crazy because a lot of our equipment is already in Texas," said Will Cleaver, Operation BBQ Relief CFO.
OBR has asked for food and monetary donations to help in their efforts. If you would like to donate you can can go to this link or text "donate OBR" to 41444.
As excited as they said they are to face-off with some of the best in the business, Cleaver said their focus is still on Houston. Some of their award-winning pitmasters went south, but volunteers from Kansas City are stepping up to the grill.
“It’s a barbecue family. Everybody’s willing to step in and help however they can,” Cleaver said.
As of Friday morning, there were close to 34,000 people in Texas shelters, according to FEMA.
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