Church feeds first responders during annual 9/11 outreach

With 12 drivers delivering lunch to nearly 800 first responders in Manatee and Sarasota counties, Bayside Community Church in Bradenton has seen its 9/11 outreach program grow.

The outreach began in 2008 when organizer Lisa Judge started the program by feeding members of the department that served her church in Manatee County.  Six years later it has expanded its reach to all public safety in Manatee County, the Sarasota County Sherrif's Office and the Sarasota Police Department.  

Bayside has four campuses: east Bradenton, east Sarasota, west Bradenton and Hardee County, and it's looking to branch out even further next year.

“Bayside just started delivering lunches in Sarasota County this year,” said Rebecca Desch as she dropped off lunch for the Longboat Key Fire and Rescue Department Thursday. “Bayside currently delivers to all public safety in Manatee County along with Sarasota Sheriffs Office and Police Department, but at the rate the program is growing we should be expanding our reach next year.”

Bayside currently delivers to all public safety entities in Manatee County along with Sarasota Sheriffs Office and Police Department.

Her husband, Longboat Key firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch, has joined Rebecca on the annual deliveries for four of the six years she has helped with the program.

“I’ve worked with the Bradenton and Longboat Key Fire Departments and I know the importance first-hand of seeing these people out year after year, serving food and showing that they care,” he said. “A little goes a long way.”

Impressed by the church’s initial outreach to fire departments in Manatee County, where both Rebecca and Brandon worked at the time with the Bradenton Fire Department, the Desches would both eventually join the church, helping with the program for as long as they've been members. 

“I take a vacation day every year to do this,” said Rebecca Desch, a program administrator with the Bradenton Fire Department. “It's just something that hits very close to home for both of us.”

Caleb Motsinger can be reached at [email protected].