1440 Multiversity and Operation BBQ Relief: Creating hope for the community

Daily food preparation will support the growing needs of the
greater Santa Cruz County community

SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIF. (September 2, 2020) – In response to the rapidly growing needs resulting from the CZU Lightning Complex Fire and COVID-19 pandemic, 1440 Multiversity and Operation BBQ Relief have begun a two-week strategic partnership effective September 1, 2020, that provides support to the Santa Cruz County community and evacuees ravaged by these current crises.

As part of the collaboration, Operation BBQ Relief – a nonprofit disaster relief organization that deploys into stricken communities across the nation to feed displaced residents and first responders – will provide resources for 1440 Multiversity staff to prepare three nutritious meals per day for several churches and emergency response organizations across Santa Cruz County, totaling more than 5,000 meals each week to those in need.

"1440 Multiversity has dedicated its work to creating hope for living well, and together with our friends at Operation BBQ Relief, we are proud to establish a partnership to help sustain and nourish members of our community who might otherwise go hungry," said Joanie and Scott Kriens, co-creators of 1440 Multiversity. "We are grateful that our campus has this opportunity to express an authentic love for others through the generous resources provided by Operation BBQ Relief to meet the needs of Santa Cruz County."

Using its "food is medicine" approach, both hot and cold meals are prepared by members of the 1440 Multiversity culinary team at Kitchen Table, the heart of the nonprofit philanthropic campus. Following each daily meal preparation, the meals are hand-packaged to-go and picked up by the receiving organization three times per day to optimize food quality. The partnership with Operation BBQ Relief, along with supporting efforts by the City of Scotts Valley, will enable these organizations in need to secure the most nutritious meals they can to serve vulnerable members of the community, including fire evacuees and first responders.

"Operation BBQ Relief is proud to team with 1440 Multiversity to share the one hot meal that matters to families affected by the wildfires," said Jarrid Collins, Chief Program Officer of Operation BBQ Relief. "A hot meal provides sustenance, hope and compassion. We are honored to work with an organization that helps provide nutritious meals to the community while also providing hope during these devastating times."

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 1440 Multiversity proactively suspended all public and private events on campus out of concern for public health and safety, temporarily moving its educational and well-being offerings to the 1440 Multiversity Online Learning platform. Opened in 2017, 1440 Multiversity is a modern learning destination that supports conversations that matter and inner fitness work to expand personal and professional development with an emphasis on health, wellness, belonging and unity to create hope for living well.

"1440 Multiversity is proud to answer the call to be of service during these most difficult times for those in need," said Frank Ashmore, Managing Director of 1440 Multiversity. "Together with Operation BBQ Relief and in partnership and with the support of our committed city officials in Scotts Valley, we are humbled to do our part in community building, just as so many other people and organizations have done both locally and around the country."

Located in Scotts Valley, California, the residential campus provides a venue for guests from around the world to enjoy a Rest & Renewal stay with signature classes, and attend impactful single, weekend or multi-day programs per year. 1440 Multiversity also welcomes mission-aligned corporate and non-profit groups with strong workplace cultures, who care about essential social issues and give back to their employees and communities.To learn more about 1440 Multiversity, Online Learning, and its 501(c)(3) nonprofit mission, please visit 1440.org or participate in our online learning at 1440.tv

About 1440 Multiversity

1440 Multiversity, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is a modern learning destination that welcomes private groups, leadership training, corporate retreats and a variety of individual programs led by thought leaders who blend science with direct-experience learning to enable more effective navigation of personal and professional relationships. 1440 Multiversity has hosted more than 1,200 programs and 100,000 participants since opening in May 2017. More information about the campus experience and full range of programs is available at 1440.org, and 1440 Multiversity Online Learning is located at 1440.tv. 1440 Multiversity is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.

About Operation BBQ Relief

Operation BBQ Relief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports communities following natural disasters with hot barbeque meals to those in need and on the front lines. After the devastating tornado in Joplin, MO. in May 2011, competitive pitmasters from eight different states answered the call to feed displaced families and first responders and served over 120,000 meals over 13 days. This experience was the catalyst that started what Operation BBQ Relief is today. With the help of more than 14,000 volunteers, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 8 million meals throughout the United States. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has provided over four million meals to first responders, medical workers, veterans, families and organizations affected by the pandemic. In 2017, Stan Hays, CEO and Co-Founder, was recognized as one of the "CNN Heroes" for his work with Operation BBQ Relief. For more information, visit obr.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @opbbqrelief.