Community members team up to feed first responders

How long does it take to put meals together for local heroes?

- how long does it take to put- meals together for local- heroes?

Well, news 25's grant - chighizola spoke to one - community group who raced - against the clock to serve- up good food to first responder- today in- gulfport.

- - it was a marathon finish, - but for richie valdez and - members of the ncn car club,- and idea to help became a - reality within 24 hours.- sot-richie valdez: president, - ncn car club- "we got fried fish, hamburgers, all the sides.

The biggest- problem that we ran - into getting...we didn't realiz- how hard it would be to get the- supplies.

- once the race to get supplies - was complete, the car club with- the help of local businesses- - - - such as keith's heating & air - conditioning and dad's super- pawn pitched in to serve lunch- at- - - - the gulfport police department.- members of the department and - other local agencies made - their way on foot, in cars, and- even through the air to pick up- a homemade treat.

- - - - sot-richie valdez - "we...we need to salute them, they don't need to salute us, - we're just trying to give - something back to them we - realize how dangerous this job- is."

Standup "food wasn't the only thing given away during the - day...departments - were put into raffles to win- multiple prizes, including this- kayak right here."

Gulfport police chief leonard - papania is one of the many firs- responders in attendance- - - - thankful for the kind gesture.- sot-leonard papania, gulfport - chief of police - "people like richie and all these businessmen coming- together...coming to- the aid of their first- responders, you can almost coun- on it, and i think that's what- makes our community so special,- and it's going to be what gets- all of us through it, this- kind of unity."

And though the meals are just - one gesture, these first- responders now have a new crew- of citizens praying for their - safety.

- sot-richie valdez - "these guys come through and check on us.

Things are slow, - they stop in and we - talk to them and they all tell- us, we're doing all we can and- - - - trying to stay safe, and and we- always remind them, stay safe."

In gulfport, grant chighizola,-