Mountaire assists with Louisiana hurricane recovery

A team of Mountaire employees recently reported to Lake Charles, La., to help prepare meals for people in need in the region hard hit by Hurricane Laura. 


The company sent 40,000 pounds of chicken to assist Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit group of competitive barbecue chefs that deploys to disaster areas to help provide hot meals. 


The Mountaire Cares team worked at a site set up in Lake Charles, an area that was pummeled by 130-150-mph winds as the storm came ashore. Power lines littered the highways while homes became uninhabitable after trees toppled on them and roofs were ripped off. 


Operation BBQ Relief, made up largely of volunteers, arrived on site just hours after the storm passed to prepare bulk meals for first responders, volunteers helping with cleanup efforts, and those displaced by the storm. 


The daily meal count the team prepared and distributed climbed to 24,000 as more and more groups signed up for help. Those served include the Salvation Army, the Cajun Navy and Army, local police, fire and rescue units, area churches and many more. 


“It’s been incredible to see the extent of the damage,” said Catherine M. Bassett, director of communications for Mountaire Farms. “We are blessed to be able to be here to help. This group provides people the nourishment and the hope they need to keep going. We’re proud to be serving our chicken.”


“Mountaire Farms has supported Operation BBQ Relief for several years,” said Stan Hayes, CEO. “The contribution of fresh chicken has allowed Operation BBQ Relief to serve the one hot meal that matters to thousands of people affected by Hurricane Laura. We are thankful that Mountaire Farms is supporting our needs with their fresh chicken for our team to cook!”