Stan Hays

On episode 172, we welcomed Stan Hays to the show! Stan Hays is the co-founder and CEO of Operation BBQ Relief (OBR), an organization dedicated to providing hot meals to communities affected by natural disasters. Since its inception, OBR has served millions of meals to disaster victims, first responders, and volunteers12. He was recognized as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2017, started this initiative after the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri, in 20113. Operation BBQ Relief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri. Competitive pitmasters from nine different states answered the call to feed displaced families and first responders. Together, they were able to serve over 120,000 meals in a 13-day period. This experience of building a network to feed individuals in need has been the inspiration for Operation BBQ Relief. To date, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 11 million meals throughout the United States and internationally following natural disasters, COVID-19 response, and through The Always Serving Project, benefiting the homeless, first responders, veterans and members of the military. In our discussion we cover how he began his BBQ career, what it means to be a pit master and what it takes to compete in competitions, the events of the Joplin, Missouri tornado in 2011 and why that sprung him to react the way it did, creating Operation BBQ Relief, what it takes to run and maintain OBR, why food is something that brings everyone together, working with the military and Gold Star families, and so much more! #operationbbqrelief #stanhays #pitmaster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices