THANKS TO THE HEROES: Operation BBQ'd Hope feeds over 700 front-line workers in Marion

MARION - The 700 or so front line essential workers that enjoyed a free barbecue meal at Heartland Regional Medical Center on Wednesday can thank a Memphis nurse for the treat.

"The idea actually came from my daughter, Heather Rogers," said Troy Benitone, executive director of the Hands of Hope Foundation that launched "Operation BBQ'd Hope" in Marion this week. Benitone was on the phone with his daughter, an ICU nurse in Memphis, who was telling him how stressful the pandemic situation is for the nurses at her hospital.

"She said, 'dad, you should bring down some of your barbecue ... my nurses could use that,'" said Benitone.

While doing that right now is not possible, Benitone decided he could honor his daughter by feeding local first responders and medical personnel.

Benitone began making calls to local barbecue establishments to see if they were willing to participate.

"They're barely hanging on, too," he said. "I asked them if they would be willing to prepare the food and serve it if I would donate the meat and ingredients."

Benitone said not a single request was turned down.

Hands of Hope partnered with 17th Street Barbecue, The Great Boars of Fire, Riley's Smokehouse, Chuck's BBQ, Big Blues BBQ and BBQ Heroes @Community of Faith Church to serve combo meals of pork, brisket, and chicken along with baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, as well as dessert and a beverage.

After a successful opening at HRMC in Marion, the event will move on to other area hospitals including St. Joseph Memorial in Murphysboro and Carbondale Memorial.

"We've had a great community response in donations," said Benitone, adding he hopes to do the event at some area nursing home facilities, as well.

Hands of Hope is accepting donations at www.hohfoundation.org or via text to (618) 663-4636.

"We're feeding these heroes and also making meals available they can take to their families," said Benitone. "We want southern Illinois to join us in thanking these people."