Sonny’s Barbecue to feed Louisiana flood victims

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Billy Crooms, the manager of Sonny’s Barbecue Restaurant in Dublin couldn’t stand by and watch the flooding disaster in Louisiana.

“We’re going to go to the Red Cross facility there in Baton Rouge and feed 300 to 400 people the best barbecue they’ve ever had,” Crooms said.

He and a cook were planning on taking the restaurant’s catering van to Baton Rouge on Sunday, August 28. Those plans changed Monday, when they began receiving donations from the community to take with them.

“The response has been so overwhelming there’s no way we’re going to get this into a small truck,” Crooms said.

Now, they’re considering taking an 18-wheeler.

Many local businesses, schools and churches have joined Sonny’s. Home Depot in Dublin is sending brooms and mops, Big Lots is sending water.

Northwest Laurens Elementary School is holding a canned food drive, encouraging children and parents to pitch in.

Fifth grade teacher Janet Baggett thinks the kids at the school will step up.

“You’d be surprised how much empathy children have and they’ll come out and show out,” Baggett said. “Especially our school.”

In Crooms’ 13 years as a manager, he’s done many community service projects.

“It’s more than barbecue,” Crooms said. “We don’t wake up in the morning and come to work just to put a plate of food in front of somebody, give them a glass of tea and a pat on the back. We come to change their lives.”

Sonny’s Barbecue in Dublin is accepting clothes, canned goods, cleaning supplies and other items through Saturday.