Video: Olive Garden Delivers Free Lunches To First Responders On Labor Day

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – An hour or so before the Labor Day lunch rush began,Olive Garden Manager Randy Davis, along with several team members, were packing pasta, salad and breadsticks for special deliveries.

First stop, Fire Station Number Four. Firefighters were out on a call, but they would have lunch ready when they returned.

Next stop, NMMC’s Emergency Room, where more than 30 doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel were spending their holiday.

“Whenever you come into the medical field, or anything to do with the emergency room or the hospital, you know you’re not going to be able to spend every holiday with your family, but you know the people that come in the emergency room or need you on a holiday, that’s what you’re there for,” said Tammy Copeland, Care Coordinator with NMMC.

That is why Olive Garden restaurants across the country provide lunch for first responders who have to work on Labor Day.

“We like to reach out in our community and help those who help us,” said Davis.

While it is a lot of work to cook, pack and deliver the Italian fare, Davis says it is all worth it to show appreciation to those who give so much.

“This is more of a labor of love thing, we are super proud to be able to do this, it is the least we can do for those who take care of us each and everyday, holiday, rain, sleet or shine,” he said.

As ER staff members piled their plates , Dr.  Arthur Chambers said it is nice to know the hard work of these dedicated professionals is being noticed.

“We very much appreciate the community’s interest in emergency medicine and supporting the emergency medicine community, if you will, paramedics, EMS, police and everybody who participates in and tries to make sure the community stays safe and healthy,” Dr. Chambers said.

This is the 15th year Olive Garden has delivered meals to first responders on Labor Day.

Since 2002, more than 10,000 meals have been served by Olive Garden to first responders on Labor Day.

www.olivegarden.com