A little pasta makes it all worthwhile.  National chain restaurant Olive Garden continued its habit of giving back by donating free meals to first responders on Labor Day evening.

As KDH News in Texas reports, donating free food on Labor Day is something of a Olive Garden tradition.  This year, more than 800 Olive Garden chain restaurants throughout the country donated lunch or dinner to firefighters, paramedics, and police officers on duty during the holiday.

The meal ranged from lasagna to ravioli, but all first responders got the famous breadsticks.  Tiramisu was a common dessert choice.

Tim Viming, manager of an Olive Garden in Reno, Nevada, told KOLO News that, “They’re always there for us, so we want to be there for them on this Labor Day.”  His branch delivered food to some of the employees at his local station, many of whom work 56 hour work weeks.

Olive Garden has been known to deliver on Veterans Day and Memorial Day but this year the timing felt especially right, as many of the first responders in the western US are caught up in a particularly vicious fire season.  While many first responders are used to working on weekends and holidays, the summer provides extra stress with the hot conditions and frequent calls for help.

Speaking to the Dispatch Times, Lieutenant John Adams said, “of course we really appreciate it and it is nice they picked us.”

Bon appetit!