Feed A Hero serves 4,500 meals to North Texas first responders

Christmas is a working holiday for police and firefighters across North Texas.

On Christmas Day, volunteers showed personal appreciation to those public servants.

Feed a Hero had operations in both Dallas and Tarrant County this year to reach more first responders. About 4,500 meals went out this year.

The organization delivered barbecue meals to first responders all over North Texas. They are the last to call themselves heroes and shy away from attention, but are happy to recognize people’s appreciation on Christmas Day.

Hundreds of pounds of brisket were cooked all night to make meals for 4,500 police and firefighters. Volunteers showed up early on Christmas morning when the brisket ran out. They switched to ham to complete all the meals.

“Our heroes will deliver to these guys that run toward danger when adversity comes,” said Feed a Hero Founder Jim Searles. “They don’t back down at all, and neither do we.”

It’s a natural calling for Matilyn Cady, who’s in a fire safety program in high school.

“It’s really great cause I know it’s going to the stations where my instructors work at,” she said. “It’s a good way to say thank you to them.”

“Anytime we can help police, fire and veterans. They’re the ones on the grind day in and day out,” said volunteer Lawrence Johnston. “To be able to help them on a day where they are separated from their families makes that more impactful.”

Hundreds of volunteers made the meal deliveries to police and fire stations in seven counties.

“Sometimes the best gifts aren’t the ones underneath the tree,” Cady said. “Sometimes it’s giving back to people and making an impact in your community.”

The program started with a simple turkey dinner to a Denton fire station. Five years later, the operation sends meals to first responders in seven counties.