TALLADEGA, Ala. – Ten minutes is all it took. Technically, it was less than that, because the last customer was already waiting in line when Shane Denney at Buddy’s BBQ in Talladega sold over 200 slabs of ribs to benefit Sylacauga families who lost their homes in a tragic apartment fire.
“We had customers starting to line up at 4:30 this morning, all wanting make a difference for our neighbors,” said Denney. “Listen, Talladega shows out when it comes to helping people. Today, we’re helping families that lost their homes in a fire at Autumn Trace Apartments in Sylacauga. That’s not even a part of Talladega, and people from all over came out to help.”
Since it was the Fourth of July, some might suggest that was the draw, and they might have a point if this was the first time that Denney has opened his heart and his pocketbook for neighbors in need, with the help of the community. He purchased the ribs, spent the night smoking them on his grills, and sold the entire haul with all of the proceeds going directly to the families – every penny.
“I’ve got the names of those families, I’ve got their phone numbers, and will reach out to split the money evenly between all the families. Every dollar goes to them, not one penny to me. It worked me to death on a rare day off, but it’s totally worth it to see all these people show up and show out for neighbors in need,” explained Denney.
Denney cuts up a lot in his entertaining, everyday Facebook videos, but when it comes time to be serious, time to champion community causes, he is an inspirational example of what “community” means to him, his staff, and his loyal customers, even when it’s for folks in Sylacauga.
