In 2011, after an EF5 tornado devastated Joplin, Missouri, a group of competitive pitmasters from eight states answered the call the only way they knew how—by firing up their smokers. For 13 straight days, they fed their pits, slept in their trucks, and served 120,000 hot meals to families and first responders. It wasn’t just about BBQ. It was about bringing comfort, dignity, and hope when everything else was lost. That spirit of service and compassion lives on in every meal we serve today. When disaster strikes, we show up fast – with smokers blazing and hearts wide open. Within 24-48 hours, we’re on the ground providing hot meals that bring comfort, hope, and a sense of normalcy to families and first responders.

 

The Story: In 2011, when an EF5 tornado leveled Joplin, MO, pitmasters didn't just send thoughts—they sent smoke. They cooked 120,000 meals in 13 days. Today, they deploy within 24 hours of a disaster to feed victims and first responders.

The PIFster Perspective: "When a veteran or a disaster survivor holds a warm plate of BBQ, they aren't just getting calories; they’re getting a reminder that they aren't forgotten. Your $1 keeps the smokers fired up for the next time the 'heavy lifting' gets too hard to bear alone

Helping the helpless cats and dogs find loving furever homes. The money, if we were to win, will go towards medical expenses for the animals.

Home of Champions is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to proide a “home base” for New York City and New York state youth ages 18-24 who are emerging from the foster care system. We aim to provide opportunities, resources, and mentoring as well as help foster youth to live an active, consistent and sustained lifestlye. To do this, we need your help. We need to make improvements to our facility in New Paltz, New York – a historic location that was the former home of and training facility for heavyweight boxing world champion. Our goal is to convert the boxing and training facility into the Home of Champions Community Center, which will house leadership, holistic health, and creative arts seminars. This renovation will come at a sizeable cost, so we are looking for your support.

Money would be used to support My PlayClub. My PlayClub is our FREE community outreach program that brings together kids of ALL abilities for a fun playdate at our inclusive playgrounds. We provide crafts, temp tattoos, stories, and snacks. Plus, we often have special guests and activities. My PlayClub meets every other month at a different playground in Los Angeles.

This holiday season, Heroes of Life is on a mission to deliver pure joy to children in Pacoima, California! This incredible team works tirelessly to support local low to medium income, homeless, and at-risk families. A vote for them this month will help purchase Christmas toys for kids (ages 4-12), ensuring they wake up to the holiday magic every child deserves. Let's help them make this season bright! Direct donations will always go to this charity regardless of who gets the most votes

At Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, we transform lives through partnerships with service dogs. We breed, raise, and train guide dogs for individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism. We also place facility dogs with professionals in hospitals, schools, and courtrooms. Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient.

Our vision for the sanctuary was to create a new paradigm in animal sheltering. Our resident dogs enjoy large, home-like living quarters equipped with heated floors, TVs and couches in every room. They have attached yards so they are free to go outdoors and express their natural behaviors anytime. Whether they are out for a walk, hiking through the hills, playing with their buddies or cuddling in their room with a volunteer, our dogs have daily experiences more similar to a home life than to a shelter. This is the organization that took in an abused pig from our neighborhood.

The Center for Assault Treatment Services (C⋅A⋅T⋅S) of Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a member of the 24-hour/7-day per-week Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) program in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys that provides support for sexually and domestically abused women and children. C⋅A⋅T⋅S’ mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to victims of domestic and sexual assault and child victims of sexual abuse in a supportive and comforting environment. C⋅A⋅T⋅S treats approximately 1,000 children and adults for sexual abuse and assault as well as domestic violence each year. When a victim of sexual abuse is examined and has forensic evidence collected from their bodies, their clothing is often collected and turned over to law enforcement for potential DNA evidence. Having clothing taken after a traumatic event such as sexual assault can make a victim feel more vulnerable. Many people may not think about how replacing a bra or providing new clothing can make such an impact on victims. Our patient population is primarily low-income, and during the investigative process, they often inquire, “will I get my clothing back.” They may ask this not because they want them back but because they can’t afford to replace them. Our goal at CATS is to never discharge a victim without the choice of being able to wear a bra or clean new clothing that fits appropriately.