Owensville Police Department (OPD) will hold its first Shop With a Hero barbecue fundraiser this Friday beginning at 11 a.m. with a new offering on the menu — delivery.

OPD Chief Scott Griffith recently advised the Owensville Board of Aldermen that he will personally deliver plates ordered through their online form with additional help by OPD officers, if necessary.

Among the items available are pork steak, brats or pork burger meals with baked beans and potato salad or the same meat options a la carte.

In addition to delivery, to-go plates will also be available as well as the ability to eat meals at the OPD facility.

Griffith hopes the delivery option will increase participation in the fundraiser.

Individuals and businesses are encouraged to place bulk orders in advance when possible by filling out the form on the OPD Facebook and there is no minimum purchase required for delivery.

The Shop With a Hero program, originally known as Shop With a Cop, has expanded over the years to include multiple first responder agencies prompting the name change to reflect the wider group of “heroes” involved such as OPD, the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Owensville Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Owensville Fire Protection District (OFPD) and other nearby agencies.

Their mission remains the same: to offer financial assistance to families in need during the holiday season with children in the Gasconade County R-2, Gasconade County R-1 and Maries County R-2 being partnered with a local “hero” for a shopping trip at the Owensville Walmart.

Annually, the program helps between 50 to 100 children with approximately $200 worth of gifts they get to handpick during their trip.

In addition to supporting the program through patronage of the fundraiser barbecue, OPD is also accepting monetary donations at the event and at their facility year-round. Monetary donations are tax-deductible.