BYHALIA, Miss —
When tragedy strikes Operation BBQ Relief based in Byhalia, Miss. is ready to step up. Mark Lambert of OBR said even in the lowest points of people’s lives sometimes a warm meal is all it takes to turn it around.
"Whenever you have nothing comfortable in your life at all one of the most comforting things is something warm to eat," Lambert said.
While a meal might not seemingly make a change, it has a mighty effect on morale. Lambert said OBR feels privileged to help.
"We as Operation BBQ Relief have the ability and been given the gift to cook good food," Lambert said. "You know soul food."
They want to feed the soul because in these difficult moments it's easy to lose hope. This team is doing what they do best to help those in need.
"There’s nothing more compelling that you could do is to give of yourself and your time especially of your talent," Lambert said.
Lambert and volunteers have fed people affected by natural disasters all over the country. Each experience has its own set of challenges, but they are always ready to serve.
"It’s important to give back and to give back something personal," Lambert said.
That "something personal" is what they put their hearts into, so others feel loved.
"When you deliver the one hot meal that matters there’s a feeling there and that’s what keeps you going back," Lambert said.
OBR hopes to be in Nashville by dinner time on Thursday and plans to feed at least 5,000 people.
The Mid-South American Red Cross is currently in Nashville surveying where help is most needed and making sure people have food and proper shelter.