REDMOND, Ore. -- Firefighters are often close as family, and many of them say that's because most of their holidays are spent away from their own families.

Labor Day serves as a last bash of summer for many people, but firefighters can't think of anything better than having a hot meal while being on the clock.

"The people of our community come first, and we like serving them," Redmond Fire Capt. Stratton Poindexter said Monday. "We're lucky to be serving them. Think of the people who don't have jobs on this Labor Day."

Poindexter was one of 11 Redmond firefighters working the holiday.

He and his crew enjoyed Olive Garden's hospitality, because he knows many Central Oregonians aren't as fortunate.

"It could probably be better used for people who need the food, and don't have jobs, you know?" Poindexter said. "I don't know why they're bringing it to us, but we're grateful for it."

"If there's any left over, we always bring it to the Senior Center right next door, and they use it," Poindexter said. "So nothing goes to waste."

The Bend Fire Department also had a hot meal prepared for them, but instead chose to give it to residents at the Bethlehem Inn.

The non-profit's managing director, Chris Clouart, said the homeless shelter relies on donations from the public.

Some days, he said, putting food on the plates is harder than others.

"Here it is, Labor Day, and a lot of the other non-profits are closed today," Clouart said. "We're open 365 days a year, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. We don't ever close. So whenever anybody can do a kindness for us like this, we're just so thankful."

While Bethlehem Inn residents leisurely enjoyed their pasta, salad and bread sticks, Redmond firefighters were sent out on calls.

When someone is in need, they said, meals just have to wait.

"It never fails that as soon as you sit down and get a bite, the tones go off and you've got to go," Redmond firefighter Cuyler Lighthall said. "So when the food's there, and ready to go -- eat now, eat fast, or eat cold."