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First responders and charity organizations received a special delivery for lunch on Thursday.

The Rotary Club of Suffolk delivered 150 boxed meals from Holland’s Market to 10 first responders’ locations and two local food banks and soup kitchens.

The Rotary Club held meetings weekly with a lunch catered by Holland’s before COVID-19 relocated their meetings to Zoom. Instead of all the lunches usually ordered for the meetings, this Thursday the Rotary Club delivered the lunches to first responders around Suffolk.

“The Rotary’s mission statement is service before self,” said Margie Wiley, president of the Rotary Club of Suffolk. “One way we can do that is by donating these lunches to the first responders and two local organizations.”

The meals went to the police station, fire stations, the sheriff’s office, Salvation Army and Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center. Rotary members walked into the restaurant to pick up the lunches and deliver them. The lunches consisted of a sandwich, chips and dessert.

“We wanted to do this as a thank you to first responders,” said Tamra VanDorn, a Rotary member and co-organizer for the distribution. “It has really been all hands on deck.”

The first responders and food banks have not had an easy year with a pandemic, hurricanes and tornadoes. When looking for somewhere to donate, according to Wiley, this was an easy choice.

Holland’s, located at 100 N. Commerce St., has partnered throughout the pandemic with the Rotary Club of Suffolk and other charities by donating their food.

“We cannot thank Holland’s enough for all their support as a caterer and a partner,” said Wiley. “Jeanette Holland is absolutely fabulous. She does all the work 100%.”

COVID-19 has not only relocated the club’s meetings but also forced it to reschedule its annual Suffolk First Citizen reception, which is normally held near the end of September.

“We are looking for opportunities to give back, and are looking forward to hosting Suffolk next year,” said Wiley.