"We thought it was important to give back to the community in a way that was measurable," said organizer Amy Otterson. "And the firefighters take their time and are out there for us all day on the holiday when they can be with their families. So we thought it would be a really nice way to give back."
Otterson and her friend, Kristi Pierce, started the effort three years ago with their families and the community and the firefighters' response has been heart-warming.
"The Pierces have been instrumental. They take care of so much back of the house and we get all together, a lot of my friends, and a lot of people in the community volunteer. So it's really amazing," said Otterson.
Since then, Otterson and her friends have grown in numbers to reach every one of the city's fire stations.
"We come in there and (firefighters are) happy to see us. And we're happy to do it," said volunteer Joe Cockerham, now in his second year. "We'll do it Thanksgiving, Christmas, until we can't do it anymore."
Rookie volunteer, Phillip Robertson, left from Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday afternoon with his friend to make their first delivery as participants of the food giveaway.
"We love to help the firefighters out. They're working on Thanksgiving. We're giving them a nice meal. That's good," said Robertson.
While the firefighters working on Wednesday will be off on the Thanksgiving holiday due to the department's scheduling, the first responders are thankful nonetheless.
"It's just great. I appreciate everything they do for us," said firefighter Trent Shelton. "It really means a lot just having the community behind us."
"It's nice to be thought of. It's nice for people to bring this stuff. Otherwise, it's just us cooking whatever we go to the store and buy," said third-year firefighter Blaise Richichi.
The group hopes to do the same thing for Christmas.