With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to make life difficult for its community, Clasen’s European Bakery in Middleton, Wisconsin decided to give back to the people keeping the community safe.

Owner Michelle Clasen wanted to do something for the healthcare workers and first responders working hard to keep their communities safe during the pandemic. She decided to show her thanks by making and delivering 10,000 of the bakery’s signature morning buns to local emergency workers.

“I am in such a ‘business cocoon’ dealing with Covid-19,” Clasen says. “It came to me one day: This is not about me, or about Clasen’s. What can I do? Let’s think about the medical workers, first responders, EMS, police, fire, pharmacists. They are deep in this every single day, front and center, risking their lives.”

The project, which Clasen calls “Operation Honoring Community Heroes,” has already delivered buns (sometimes more than 1,000 at a time) to local hospitals, clinics, fire stations, police departments and other frontline workers.

Additionally, Clasen’s has been stocking its shelves with loaves of fresh bread and other pastries that healthcare employees can come by and pick up free of charge.