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Amanda Riggan, founder of the nationally recognized Hungry Heroes, appeared on WIZS’ Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Riggan’s organization was in Henderson today to feed personnel at Henderson Fire Station #1 on Dabney Drive from 12 to 1 p.m. and officers at the Henderson Police Department from 1 to 2 p.m. The separate events were keeping in line with COVID restrictions, according to Riggan.
As a Traeger Grills ambassador, Riggan said she is usually the one doing the cooking, but was excited to partner with Skipper Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q who catered the meal of chicken, pulled pork and sides.
Based out of York County, SC, Riggan founded Hungry Heroes in January 2018 after an ambush on four police officers in her community prompted her to give back to those who protect the public.
“Three officers were shot and one died in the line of duty, Mike Doty. I started praying and asking ‘how can I give back? How can I show them appreciation?’ I kept praying and asking ‘how can I physically help?’ The Lord laid it on my heart to just go feed them, go cook for them.”
Riggan said feeding police officers, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, military personnel and veterans is what she has been doing ever since.
What started as cooking for public safety personnel in and around her SC community turned into a nationwide venture after a video of Riggan, a full-time FedEx driver, went viral.
In the video, available for view on the Hungry Heroes website at www.hungryheroesbbq.com, Riggan shares her experience praying for a woman on her delivery route and urged viewers to “move their feet” when they feel called on to offer assistance in some way.
“That video launched Hungry Heroes nationwide,” explained Riggan. “We’ve now been to Illinois, Indiana, Utah and Texas. We’ve also partnered with the USO for each military branch.”
Hungry Heroes and Riggan have also been featured on The Steve Harvey Show and have served meals to country music stars Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Travis Tritt and their crews.
With all the media attention, Riggan said she is glad to give back to the small town that many of her family members – including parents and grandparents – call home.
“For the past 30 years, I’ve come to Henderson for every holiday. Henderson has always been near and dear to my heart. My grandma use to come to South Carolina and help us serve, so I know both of my grandmothers would be super proud we are here today serving in their community,” Riggan stated.
Riggan called on the help of Vance-Granville Community College Fire Technology Coordinator Randy Owen, a friend to many of her family members, for assistance in planning today’s meals.
Owen said it was an honor to work with Riggan to bring this event to fruition. “The work Amanda does is just amazing to me. I know from experience, because I worked for the Henderson Fire Department for ten years, that a free meal brings everybody together to relax, and that is very important to public safety personnel.”
For more on Riggan’s mission, please visit www.hungryheroesbbq.com and/or the Hungry Heroes’ Facebook page (click here).
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
(Photos courtesy Randy Owen)
