After seeing the efforts and sacrifices of first responders during February’s stretch of unseasonably cold weather, Bread Shed president Jim Ward wanted to say thank you.
The Bread Shed will do just that this Friday, when it has its First Responders Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bread Shed, located at 203 North D St. The Bread Shed is inviting all members of law enforcement, firefighters, highway patrol, paramedics and EMTs.
“Back when it was super cold, we knew the police had been a place that if they had homeless people, or somebody needed to eat or whatever, we were a resource for them,” Ward said. “They had called us with some needs of people (back when) it was zero and minus five and all that, and then (I) had met a couple of them up there with people that needed help. And I thought ‘You know what? These guys are out there and nobody else is out there — and who’s helping them?’ ... That’s where it came from, when we had that really cold spell.”
Ward said that the Bread Shed is bringing in a chef from St. Louis to cook Friday.
“We will have some really good food,” Ward said. “We’re going to have turkey breast, roast beef, and all the sides that go along with those things, plus plenty of desserts. The girls are fixing the place up Thursday night to get it ready for Friday’s meal, trying to make it special.”
There also will be prizes given away Friday.
“We’ll also have drawings every couple of minutes,” Ward said. “We’ve got a bunch of gift certificates, weed eaters and different things donated from our community to give to the first responders. We’re raffling off a car for Bread Shed and we’re going to let one of the first responders pull the winning ticket for our car raffle. That’s been going on for a few months and we’re at the tail end of that.
“We’re just thankful for our community and they’re a big part of it, so it’s just a way to say thanks — it’s really just a simple thing.”
Ward said they are still accepting volunteers to help serve Friday.
“Anybody can come in to help serve,” Ward said. “The school graduation center, I know, is supposed to come and bring the seniors to help serve. Darla Nunn is bringing those kids over — I know they’re committed to coming, so we’ll see.”