When families are forced to flee their homes, they lose more than just their houses. They lose their routines, their sense of normalcy, their community. Our mission to serve displaced families is about restoring a piece of that normalcy, one BBQ meal at a time.
Expanding Our Mission
While Grilling for Israel initially focused on serving IDF soldiers, the events of October 7th created an urgent new need. Thousands of families from border communities were evacuated to hotels, community centers, and temporary housing across Israel.
We knew we had to expand our mission. These families needed support, and we had the infrastructure and experience to provide it.
The Evacuation Centers
We now regularly visit hotels and community centers housing displaced families. These aren’t vacation stays—families are living in single rooms, eating institutional food, and dealing with the trauma of displacement while worrying about their homes and communities.
When we arrive with our grills, something shifts. The smell of BBQ, the sight of fresh food, the presence of volunteers who care—it creates a moment of joy in difficult circumstances.
Serving Families vs. Soldiers
Serving families requires a different approach than serving soldiers:
Dietary needs are more varied, with children, elderly family members, and different preferences to consider.
Emotional support matters even more. We’re not just feeding people; we’re showing them they haven’t been forgotten.
Timing and logistics differ—families eat together at different times, and we need to accommodate everyone.
Creating community around the meal is essential. These families are isolated from their regular communities, so our BBQ events become social gatherings.
The Children
The children are what really get to us. Kids who should be playing in their own yards, attending their regular schools, seeing their friends. Instead, they’re living in temporary housing, their lives completely disrupted.
When they come through our serving line, we make sure to give them extra attention. A smile, a kind word, letting them choose their favorite piece of chicken. Small gestures that hopefully make a difficult situation a little bit easier.
Real Stories
The Schwartz Family from a southern community was evacuated with only what they could carry. When we served them at their hotel, Mrs. Schwartz told us, “This is the first time since we left home that a meal felt normal. Thank you for remembering us.”
David and Rachel, elderly grandparents, were separated from their adult children who were serving in the reserves. Our weekly BBQ visits became something they looked forward to—a bright spot in their week.
The Cohen children, ages 4-9, started drawing pictures for our volunteers. They’re now displayed in our office, a reminder of why this work matters.
Beyond the Meal
We’ve started coordinating with other organizations to provide additional support:
- Connecting families with mental health resources
- Coordinating donations of clothing and necessities
- Helping families navigate bureaucracy and paperwork
- Creating activities for children during our events
The Long Road Ahead
Many of these families still can’t return home. Their communities are in war zones or too damaged to inhabit. They don’t know when they’ll go back, or what they’ll find when they do.
We’re committed to serving them for as long as they need us. Whether it’s weeks, months, or longer, we’ll keep showing up with hot meals and warm hearts.
How You Can Help
Supporting displaced families requires resources:
- Food costs for serving families add up quickly
- Transportation to reach multiple evacuation centers
- Volunteers to help with serving and entertaining children
- Donations that provide flexibility to meet changing needs
Every contribution helps us serve one more meal, visit one more family, bring one more moment of normalcy to people who need it desperately.
The Power of Showing Up
In the end, our mission is simple: show up, serve with love, and remind displaced families that they’re not alone. One BBQ meal at a time, we’re helping rebuild the sense of community and normalcy that displacement tried to take away.
Thank you for making this expanded mission possible. Together, we’re feeding hope.