Dave Means of the Butler Salvation Army hands out a meal from Operation BBQ Relief at a drive-through pick up in downtown Butler Saturday. The meals were provided by the nonprofit BBQ group which was created to respond in times of natural disasters and works in partnership with the Salvation Army and other organizations.

Cars lining up for food and meal distributions are becoming an increasingly common site during the COVID-19 pandemic in Butler and surrounding counties.

Staff and volunteers from the Butler division of the Salvation Army joined the effort Saturday, manning a drive-through meal pickup at the nonprofit's location on West Cunningham and Race Streets in Butler.

“We had about 20 cars right off the bat,” said Salvation Army Capt. Dave Means, describing the line prior to the noon start.

Food was provided by Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit founded to aid with food distribution following natural disasters and times of crisis. The organization gave roughly 150 chicken dinners to the Butler division of the Salvation army. Meals included rice and green beans along with apple sauce, muffins, shredded cheese and butter provided by the Salvation Army's food pantry.

For one group of residents of Butler's Island neighborhood, food distributions such as the one Saturday have been a godsend.

“It's a blessing,” said one resident near tears who wanted to be identified only as Michelle. “The kindness of strangers is awesome.”

Another area resident and mother of three, Amanda, said, “This is amazing. If it wasn't for this food donation and the school donations, my kids would go hungry.”

Saturday's food giveaway came together on fairly short notice according to Means' wife and fellow Salvation Army Capt. Darlene Means.

“I think it is fantastic when a group is able to give us a hand,” Darlene Means said, adding that — considering the time frame — she believed they had a good turnout.

Operation BBQ Relief notified them of the meal availability Thursday, Darlene Means said, and organizers were able to get word out through local media and Facebook.

In part because of the short notice, however, Means estimated that they were only able to hand out around 65 of the 150 or so meals. Remaining meals will be available for pickup by contacting the Butler Salvation Army.

The group is also continuing its regular meal program and food pantry at the Butler location through the remainder of the COVID-19 crisis. Instead of indoor meals, organizers will continue drive-through pickups on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with sandwiches provided by Subway. The food pantry is open Thursday's from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Monetary and food donations to the pantry are being accepted by phone and through scheduled drop-off.