Gonnella Baking Co., Schaumburg, IL, joined Operation Barbecue Relief to provide fresh meals to victims of the tornadoes that ravaged central Illinois on Nov. 17. The company sent a truck filled with Gonnella products to Washington, IL, the town that was hit hardest.

Operation Barbecue Relief, spearheaded by members of the Illinois Barbecue Alliance, provided nearly 2,000 meals a day to affected individuals and families in the week following the tornado.

“Along with other members of the baking industry in Chicagoland, we are proud to do our part to assist those in need during a devastating time,” said David Gonnella, national sales manager. Still family owned and operated, Gonnella Baking Company has strong ties to Illinois with three local bakeries—one each in Chicago, Aurora and Schaumburg.