Who We are
Learn more about the Hungry Heroes Organization, our Mission, the Founder – Amanda Riggan, the Board, and why Hungry Heroes will continue to bring hope through Smoke and Sauce.
The Introduction
Where it all started
The story and message behind the beginnings of Hungry Heroes is a powerful one – an organization born out of tragedy and deep loss for the Rock Hill, SC community.
Listen to Amanda’s story and the impact Hungry Heroes had in not just her own, but in communities all across the country.
Since 2018
Amanda’s Story
Amanda Riggan’s passion for serving others has been at the core of who she is her entire life. Whether it be on a ball field coaching, as a caregiver on the board of disabilities, or working in the dementia unit at an assisted living center in her local community, Amanda has always had a huge heart for those in need.
In 2013, she had a major life event in rededicating her faith in Christ and actively began seeking out opportunities to serve others at a larger scale, both state-side and internationally. And in 2018, on a routine route driving for a shipping carrier, Amanda had an incredible conversation with a person in need that sparked not only a viral sensation but a deeply inspirational message to hundreds of thousands of people nationwide.
Through this experience, Amanda had the opportunity to be featured on the Steve Harvey Show, local and national news programs, radio, podcasts, and several other outlets to further the message of hope, love, and service. Then suddenly, a tragedy struck when a local police officer, Detective Mike Doty, and several others were ambushed in a deadly shooting that took Doty’s life. In response, Amanda started with what she knew; the best way to show support and appreciation for the officers who had been shot was to serve them food. And there is no better food in the south than barbeque!
In 2018, Amanda, along with the support of her family and friends, started the non-profit, Hungry Heroes with the mission to give back and show appreciation by serving first responders, military personnel, and veterans through the humble and satisfying gift of food. Hungry Heroes holds dozens of events nationwide in addition to their annual Detective Doty Event to raise awareness, respond to tragedy in communities, and spread love through a little smoke and sauce!
Amanda is available for speaking engagements and PR opportunities. You can visit her website at www.amandariggan.com.
The hungry Heroes heart & Soul
Our Mission
To serve first responders and military personnel through food and fellowship, thanking them for their sacrifice to serve us.
Our Vision
To see the mission of Hungry Heroes expand to communities in need nationwide and throughout the world.
Our Values
We value the gift of knowing God and walking humbly with Him through this life.
We value community, family, and the service workers who dedicate their lives to protecting us.
We value quality food to be shared with others, ethically made, and properly served.
We value and honor the lives of first responders and military personnel who have lost their lives to protect ours.
We value the support and donations from individuals and corporations and commit to properly using these resources to fulfill our mission.
Meet the Board
Amanda Riggan
Founder/Executive Director
Amanda has been serving others her entire life. Whether it be on a ball field coaching, as a caregiver on the Board of Disabilities, or working in the dementia unit at an Assisted Living Community, Amanda has always had the heart to serve. As Amanda says, “she was reborn in 2013 with her renewed relationship with her Lord.” After being publicly baptized, she served on missions outside the United States, again serving others that needed support, love, and care.
With the support of her family and friends, 2018 became her biggest accomplishment! Hungry Heroes was formed as a nonprofit with the mission to feed first responders, active military, and veterans nationwide. To show her appreciation, get community support, and drive this mission so that service men and women would never forget how much we appreciate them. This was one small way to give back, and she has plans to give back more. Amanda, her grilling skills, and a great support team are taking Hungry Heroes global!
Nick Wimmer
Board Chair
Nick has over 20 years of business leadership and creative strategist experience. His passion is to help companies and individuals mobilize their vision and connect with their target audience, reaching their desired end goals.
He served as the Founder and Executive Director of Camp Canaan, a non-profit 501(c)(3) summer camp and retreat center in Rock Hill, SC. He is currently the Creative Services Manager for Comporium Media Services. He has served on The Rock Hill Schools Foundation board, Nation’s Ford Land Trust, Builders Bridge, and NothingPink committee.
Alison Parlow
Vice Chair
Alison has been a part of the Hungry Heroes team since 2018. She knew Amanda’s brother, Dustin, and learned about Amanda and Hungry Heroes through Facebook. Alison and Amanda connected pretty instantly when Amanda was picking up a supply donation from her, and she has been a part of “the family” ever since.
She is on the Board of Directors for Hungry Heroes, and by day she is a Human Resources professional for a contract security firm. She was born and raised in York County, and she and her fiance Marc live in Rock Hill with their two rescued dachshunds. She has 3 children and 3 grandchildren, her dad is a veteran, and her son is currently serving in the United States Navy as a Rescue Swimmer.
Allison Cleveland
Board Member
Allison Cleveland has served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and in various other capacities for Visit York County, the Destination Marketing Organization for York County, since 2015. Her role with Visit York County is shifting to that of office management and visitor services to allow for her newly accepted position of Executive Director of ChristmasVille, a non-profit whose mission is to drive visitation to Old Town Rock Hill while supporting local non-profits during an award-winning festival that began in 2005.
Allison grew up in the neighboring county and has lived in York County since 2007. Over the years, she has served in volunteer and board member positions with local organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of York County, York County Regional Chamber of Commerce, York County Partners in Tourism, Come-See-Me Festival, ChristmasVille, and Lakewood Baptist Church.
Robert White
Board Member
Robert White is the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Piedmont Tri-County
(NAMI PTC) in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Robert has a broad background in healthcare and emergency services. Before joining NAMI PTC, he worked in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field as a National Register Paramedic for over 35 years before retiring in 2019 as Assistant Chief of Operations for Piedmont Medical Center EMS, and thirty years of his work experience was in York County. For 13 years, at the start of his career, Robert was an Adjunct Instructor for York Technical College.
Robert’s commitment to his community has been recognized nationally due to his involvement and the founding of the local Safe Kids York County, a non-profit organization targeting preventable injuries in children 17 and under. He was named South Carolina’s Paramedic of the Year in 2000 and 2015. Other awards include being Inducted into the Tenet Hero Hall of Fame in 2011, the 2013 Leadership York County
Outstanding Leader Award by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the 2014 South
Carolina National Guard Patriot Award.
In 2011, Piedmont Medical Center announced the Robert D. White Scholarship, which awarded a York County High School Seniors a two-year scholarship to become a Paramedic. Robert serves on many boards across York County, providing services to children and youth. Robert is a United States Naval Veteran and a graduate of Liberty University, where he received his Master of Business (MBA) degree.
Contact us
Get IN touch
info@hungryheroesserves.org
P.O. Box 773
Rock Hill, SC 29731
