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The Cake Girl

Turning a Wedding Cake into a Community Celebration: A Sweet Visit to Operation BBQ Relief

John Imbriolo, Senior Director of Non-Disaster Programs Operation BBQ Relief

Sometimes, a cake’s story doesn’t end where you expect it to. When a beautiful wedding cake couldn’t be used due to venue damage caused by Hurricane Helene, we saw an opportunity to turn it into a meaningful gesture. Based on our community partnership and commitment to giving back, Todd “MJ” Schnitt from 104.7 WRBQ-FM joined us as we took the cake to the incredible team at Operation BBQ Relief in Pinellas County.


Operation BBQ Relief is on the ground, serving thousands of meals each day to support residents and first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. With over 40,000 meals already served, they’re gearing up to provide 20,000 meals a day by this weekend to feed the families and individuals in need. Their dedication and impact can be felt in every meal prepared and every smile shared.


Visiting the Heart of the Operation


We made our way to the Operation BBQ Relief warehouse and command center, where the energy and passion of their volunteers were on full display. It was an honor to meet some of the key leaders driving this massive relief effort, including CEO Stan Hays, Jeremy Bruce, Senior Head of Volunteers & Technology, and Chef John Imbriolo, Senior Director of Non-Disaster Programs. These leaders, along with hundreds of dedicated volunteers, are the backbone of Operation BBQ Relief’s success and their ability to bring comfort and hope to communities during disasters.



Operation BBQ Relief Volunteers in Pinellas

Operation BBQ Volunteer Serves Food Hurricane Helene

Operation BBQ Relief Disaster Response and The Cake Girl


Giving Back Through Sweet Surprises


Bringing the cake was our way of showing gratitude to this incredible team. Volunteers took a moment to enjoy a sweet break, knowing that every bite was a token of appreciation from our team at The Cake Girl. We believe that small gestures can make a big difference, especially for those who give so selflessly day in and day out. Random Acts of Sweetness isn’t just a program—it’s a way of life for us. When the community comes together, amazing things happen.



John Imbriolo, Senior Director of Non-Disaster Programs Operation BBQ Relief Cutting Cake

Kirby Lavallee and Todd "MJ" Schnitt from MJ Morning Show Q105 104.7 WRBQ-FM


Connecting the Community: Special Thanks to Senator Jarrid “Jay” Collins


This cake donation and visit were made possible through a connection facilitated by Senator Jay Collins, who has been instrumental in bringing attention and support to Operation BBQ Relief. His dedication to the community aligns perfectly with our mission at The Cake Girl, and we are grateful for his efforts in uniting us with such a worthy cause.


Join Us in Supporting Operation BBQ Relief


If you’d like to support the life-changing work that Operation BBQ Relief is doing, visit their website at operationbbqrelief.org to learn more. From feeding communities in crisis to supporting military and first responders, they are a shining example of what it means to serve.


We’re proud to play even a small part in their mission, and we hope this sweet surprise brought some joy to those who are working tirelessly to help our neighbors recover and rebuild. The Cake Girl is committed to supporting our community, and it’s moments like these that remind us why giving back is at the heart of everything we do.



Hurricane Helene Disaster Response with The Cake Girl and Operation BBQ Relief. Kirby Lavallee and Todd "MJ" Schnitt from MJ Morning Show Q105 104.7 WRBQ-FM and Chef John Imbriolo, Senior Director of Non-Disaster Programs



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