Cedar Rapids' Willie Ray Fairley takes his famous barbecue to Florida's hurricane recovery zone

Mariah Timms, Des Moines Register
·2 min read
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Willie Ray Fairley drives toward destruction, smokers in tow.

The Cedar Rapids restauranteur has gained accolades for his work to bring needed hot meals to people in need after natural disasters over the past few years, skills he honed after his hometown was hit by a devastating derecho.

In a Big Lots parking lot in Fort Myers on Sunday, he never stopped moving. Unloading cases of water, adding seasoning to ribs cooking on one of three smokers, directing volunteers, he and his seven-person team of volunteers were offering what they could in the aftermath of September's Hurricane Ian.

More:Iowa companies send help to victims of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida

"The secret is the passion," he said. "It's about seeing the smiles and people knowing someone's here to help. That's what it is."

By noon on their first day cooking in southwest Florida, Fairley said they'd already served more than 500 meals. His team was parked next to a Cajun Navy ground support supply drop in the big box store parking lot. A line of cars moved slowly past as volunteers loaded them up with cases of water.

Lee County, home to Fort Myers, still had a boil water advisory in effect on Sunday. At the newest pop-up of Willie Ray's Q Shack, volunteers cheerfully washed trays using gallons of water they had hauled in.

Fairley and his team were a blessing, Marian Alfonso said while waiting in line for a burger, baked beans and green beans.

She lives across the street and said she still doesn't have power, more than 10 days after the storm as recovery efforts continue.

Just behind her, Carolina Corona was picking up dinner for her children.

"This is awesome," she said emphatically. "We just thank the Lord."

Fairley and his Iowa volunteers hope to serve through Thursday, logistics man "Trucker" Trevor Nicholson said. He picked up supplies locally, but said he brought frozen pork down with him, which he'll break into if he needs to.

Until then, they'll be in the parking lot.

"Come see us," Nicholson said.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowan offers free barbecue meals to help with Hurricane Ian recovery