In partnership with Operation BBQ Relief, Sporting Community Kitchen has distributed over 30,000 free meals to citizens across Greater Kansas City affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sporting Community Kitchen launched on April 13 as the first major initiative of Sporting Serves, a newly established philanthropic platform in which Sporting Kansas City and The Victory Project—the club's flagship charitable arm—unite with community partners to support families across the metropolitan area.
“Sporting Kansas City has been privileged to work alongside Operation BBQ Relief and provide thousands of free meals to families during this challenging and unprecedented time,” Sporting KC President and CEO Jake Reid said. “With generous contributions from countless volunteers and local partners, Sporting Community Kitchen is an initiative we are extremely proud of. Through the Sporting Serves platform, we look forward to supporting the Kansas City community well into the future.”
For the last six weeks, Operation BBQ Relief has partnered with two local restaurants and two food truck businesses to provide free meals for daily distribution at Sporting Community Kitchen, which will serve the public for the last time this Friday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Children’s Mercy Park.
Sporting Community Kitchen has received further support from volunteers, City Foods & Events—the exclusive catering operator of Sporting Kansas City—and multiple partners including Price Chopper, Heartland Coca-Cola, BODYARMOR, Sysco and Raising Cane's.
Founded in May 2011, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 5 million meals throughout the United States and globally. In response to COVID-19, Operation BBQ Relief has piloted the Operation Restaurant Relief program to feed communities in need while supporting restaurants and their employees. The nonprofit organization has helped serve over 125,000 meals in the Kansas City area since March. To make a donation to Operation BBQ Relief, click here.
About Operation BBQ Relief
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, MO. Competitive pitmasters from eight different states answered the call to feed displaced families and first responders. Together, they were able to serve over 120,000 meals in a thirteen-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 5 million meals throughout the United States. The organization has provided over 2,000,000 meals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Locally, within the Kansas City metropolitan area, Operation BBQ Relief has provided more than 125,000 meals to first responders, medical workers, veterans, families, and organizations affected by the pandemic. For more information, visit www.obr.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @opbbqrelief.
