Giving Thanks to First Responders

DELMARVA. — Local organizations and restaurants are giving back to first responders this Thanksgiving with free meals.

One of those restaurants is the Deli at Pecan Square — and this year, police officers in uniform can eat for free at its Thanksgiving buffet.

“We’ll have a buffet on Thanksgiving. It’ll have all the classic stuff. Nothing too out of the ordinary: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans. There’s always a huge variety of desserts and also things that younger kids like as well — mac and cheese, rolls,” Emily Dew said.

They say it’s their way of giving back to the people who keep everyone safe.

“We always see the stuff they deal with, and I think it’s just important to give back, especially to the people in our communities helping keep us safe,” Nor Agha said.

For the past eight years, the organization Blessings for Badges has packed and donated Thanksgiving meals for state and local police, fire departments, rescue personnel and correctional officers throughout Sussex and Kent counties. More than 1,000 meals will be delivered this year.

“We’re feeding about 535 first responders in Sussex County on Thursday, and we’ll be feeding about 530 first responders in Kent County,” Cathy Bassett said.

“We take them for granted so often — that they will be there — so to show them just a little bit of appreciation on a day like Thanksgiving, I think is important.”