Firing up grills and smokers to prepare pounds of barbecue is a Labor Day tradition.

In fact, it could be said that barbecue is to Labor Day what peanut butter is to jelly.

Thanks to the Selma Emblem Club’s efforts, many of Selma’s hungry were able to celebrate Monday’s holiday properly.

The Emblem Club is a membership of women formed to associate themselves to respect and honor the American flag, patriotism, fellowship and to involve themselves in community service. The Emblem Club is recognized as an auxiliary of an Elks Lodge.

The club delivered 325 pounds of barbecue in late August to charitable and service organizations around Dallas County, including Bosco Food Kitchen, SABRA House, Safety Net Youth Services, Alabama Teen Challenge, Methodist Children’s Home, Valley Grande Volunteer Fire Department, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and the Selma Police Department.

The fare was from the Emblem Club’s July 4 barbecue fundraiser. The leftovers were frozen and distributed by the club.

“This is our first time for giving away barbecue,” said Zelle Reedy, state Emblem Club past president. “We are a charitable organization, so we’re always doing something.”

Mary Gayle, supervisor of Bosco Food Kitchen, said the food was a welcome change of pace. She said Bosco serves barbecue from time to time, but not the fresh-cooked, grill-prepared variety.

“We thank them very much for thinking of us and it will be used for Labor Day,” said Reedy. “This is going to be a welcome change because it is grill-cooked and it smells delicious.”

Reedy gave it rave reviews when she tried it, and said it was so well-seasoned she almost didn’t want to put sauce on it.

“We’ve been doing this a long time, so they’ve really gotten it down,” said Selma Emblem Club President Madelyn Bowles.

The Selma Emblem Club helps and donates to charitable organizations year-round and awards scholarships to qualified students. The club also visits local nursing homes monthly, and gives gifts to residents with a special bingo in December.