Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, a North Texas dining option for nearly 70 years, has always been involved with its neighbors.

“Dallas has been good to us, so we have always wanted to give back. As we expand, we are moving into new communities across the country every month,” Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. CEO Roland Dickey says. “We want our owner/operators to take the value of community stewardship along with the barbecue to their neighbors and friends.”

As new locations open from New York to California, Dickey’s is incorporating local charities and organizations in its grand opening events. Dickey’s is also asking all owner/operators to establish ongoing partnerships with community groups.

Jennifer Lambert just opened a new location in Laurel, Mississippi, with her husband. As longtime members of their community and having a passion for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation in Laurel, they have involved their Dickey’s location in a fundraiser this month.

“A young member of our family is 11 years old and has Cystic Fibrosis, so the disease has always been a part of our lives,” she says. “The foundation has a walk coming up, kind of a smaller version of Relay for Life, and we are donating some tea for the walkers. Also, proceeds from our upcoming Grand Opening will benefit the cause. Cystic Fibrosis and these kids are just so near to our hearts, and we are glad we and Dickey’s can be a part of their effort to find a cure.”

While the Lamberts have found their niche with Cystic Fibrosis, Rick Howell, a Dickey’s owner/operator in Longview, Texas, has pledged to donate a portion of his grand opening proceeds to the East Texas Angel Network, a nonprofit foundation benefitting children with life-threatening or terminal illness.

“My daughter just gave birth to my first grandchild and we are so fortunate to have a beautiful, healthy baby. Other folks aren’t as lucky. The Angel Network works to help those families. I am just doing what I can, and with Dickey’s I am able to do more,” Howell says.

From school fundraising nights to sponsoring little league teams, Dickey’s is looking for more opportunities to lend a hand in surrounding communities across the country.

For information on how Dickey’s can sponsor your charity or nonprofit organization, please e-mail contactus@dickeys.com.

For more information on Dickey’s, visit www.dickeys.com.