WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — At Grammy's Goodies in Wheat Ridge on Sunday morning, it wasn't just the grill that was overflowing.
“The tip jars are full. Our hearts are full of hope," said owner Vickie Corder.
Behind Corder, staff and volunteers were grilling 600 pounds of sausage and green peppers under white tents set up outside the Italian restaurant and bakery.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, we were afraid that we were going to have to close and the community has come through big time for us," Corder said.
The money the restaurant earned from takeout and delivery allowed Corder to keep her entire staff.
“Every one of my employees are working full-time for full pay," she said.
Instead of pocketing the generous tips left by customers over the past several weeks, staff used the money to buy sausage, green peppers, chips and sandwich buns.
On Sunday, they served up sandwiches for 2,000 first responders across the metro area.
“They go to work every day and they could get sick. They could get shot. They could not come home," Corder said. "They deserve a sandwich today.”
Officers, firefighters and paramedics from 14 different agencies rolled up for take-out at Grammy's Goodies. They picked up boxes full of sandwiches and delivered them to their own departments.
“I have some heavily-armed delivery guys today," Corder joked.
Commander Michelle Moriarty with the Arvada Police Department filled up the trunk her patrol SUV.
“We have two shifts, so we’ll have about 60 to 70 officers to feed so, that’s awesome!” Moriarty said.
The customers on Sunday were well-fed and well-appreciated by Corder and her staff.
“[We're] thanking them for getting up every morning and facing what we all fear," Corder said.
At Grammy's Goodies, the gratitude overflowed. Before she left with a trunk full of sandwiches, Moriarty shouted out to the restaurant staff.
“We just wanted to say thank you so much!" She said. "We really appreciate it. Thank you! Thank you!"
SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Feature stories from 9NEWS