First responders working on Christmas treated with brisket dinner

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Dozens of volunteers put together more than 1,000 meals to feed police officers, firefighters and paramedics who have to work this Christmas.

It’s part of the Feed a Hero program, which is now in its fourth year. It was started by a retired law enforcement officer who brought a couple of meals to his local fire station with his family. And it just grew from there.

This year, volunteers started working around 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, cooking up enough for first responders in Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Cooke and Wise counties.

“You know, these guys run toward danger 365 days a year. The least we can do is respond to them one or two days a year and just say thanks with something as simple as brisket,” said Jim Searles with Feed a Hero.

It took 1,500 pounds of brisket, 600 pounds of potato salad, 60 gallons of beans and 250 pies to feed the many working on Christmas day.

Organizers said they hope to deliver 4,000 meals next year.