MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) - Milwaukee’s tourism bureau joined a team of local businesses to feed the city’s first responders Thursday.

Visit Milwaukee, Sprecher Brewing and vendors from the new 3rd Street Market Hall handed out a thousand free lunches to the city’s police, firefighters and emergency personnel.

“Hopefully it’s a morale booster for all those that are sacrificing their lives for us and putting themselves on the front lines,” said Omar Shaikh, founder of the 3rd Street Market Hall.

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said this small salute is a reminder of the importance of building relationships in every community.

“We have over a thousand contacts in any given day. The majority of those contacts are positive,” Morales said. “That’s just important to know and important for officers and our mental health. It’s important for the community to see, as well.”

And for these businesses, it’s important to show gratitude for the men and women who will continue to work, no matter the circumstances.