FREE BBQ Initiative

In 2020, the world stood still.

A global pandemic brought fear and isolation. Protests filled the streets. Families were grieving, divided, and uncertain. Communities felt fractured. In the middle of chaos, we didn’t have a strategic plan or a nonprofit status...

We just had faith.

And faith told us to move.

Our Founder, Scooter C. Draughn, joined forces with a local group of friends who shared the same heart and passion to help the community in a way that would substantiate a foundation and following as a staple in the Twin Cities.

What better way to bring people together than with good ol' BBQ.

Not for profit. Not for publicity. Just love on a grill, absolutely FREE!

So we showed up in all sorts of public places throughout the Twin Cities with burgers, hot dogs, our special chicken wings, good music, and allowed the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

Prayer ensued. Fellowship occurred. We fed tens of thousands fast!

From families who hadn’t eaten together in weeks, to neighbors who had never spoken, protesters, police officers, children, elders, the unhoused, EVERYBODY!

We weren’t an organization then, we were just honored to help,

and every time we pulled up, something bigger happened.
Walls came down. Conversations started. Unity was restored — even if just for a few sacred hours.

The grill that carried this movement read at the very top "God loved the world so much He gave." This special grille belonged to a very special man near and dear to our hearts by the name of Pastor Ron McConnico. He didn’t just lend us equipment, he believed in the mission. He believed in bringing people together the right way, and he showed up alongside us to serve the community time and time again.

Then out of nowhere ALS came... and we lost him.

Before he passed, it was his wish that we continue the work; that we keep feeding people. That we keep choosing unity, and we keep the flame alive.

But without his massive industrial grill and the proper vehicle to transport it, sustaining the initiative became incredibly difficult. Renting equipment, scrambling for vehicles, scaling back, slowing down.

We know what this initiative can do.
We’ve seen it.

We’ve watched broken communities eat side by side.
We’ve fed the homeless with dignity.
We’ve created safe spaces in moments of unrest.

And we believe now is the time to bring it back — bigger, stronger, and built to last!

With just $50,000 we can 

• Build a brand-new custom industrial grill in Pastor Ron’s honor

• Secure a dedicated vehicle to transport and operate efficiently

• Restore and expand the FREE BBQ Initiative across communities

This isn’t just about food.

This is about access.
This is about unity.
This is about dignity.
This is about continuing a legacy.

With the proper equipment, we can feed hundreds of thousands over the next five years — possibly millions. We can respond faster in times of crisis. We can serve deeper in underserved neighborhoods. We can ensure that no matter what is happening in the world, there is always a place where community feels like family.

The flame was never meant to go out.

Help us reignite it.

Honor Ron’s legacy.
Fuel the Helpers.
Feed the people.

Please consider donating today!

Thank you, and God bless you.