Emergency Services Canteen Unit

Did You Know?

Since 2019, The Bridge Community Church Emergency Services Canteen Unit has provided nourishment, relief, and spiritual care 
to over 10,000 First Responders on some of their hardest days.

What is our Canteen Unit?

The Canteen Unit's mission is to provide Emergency Response Personnel with adequate personal hydration and nutritional needs during prolonged emergency incidents.

The Canteen Unit is there when our community needs it most, responding to emergency incidents at the request of Piedmont Community fire and rescue teams, the Sheriff’s Office, local and state law enforcement, and VDOT—supporting all who serve and protect our neighbors in times of need.

When Duty Calls... Our volunteers:
*Walk up to ½ mile carrying all supplies to reach responders on scene
*Bring cooling towels, extra socks, and gloves on demanding days
*Provide Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and shade when responders can’t leave the site
*Have given 5,000+ volunteer hours directly on incidents

Keeping the Canteen Unit ready for service takes year-round commitment:

Serving with Heart

☎️ Dispatched by 911 to critical incidents

🔥 54 Structure Fires served since 2019

👕 Survivors receive toiletries, clothes, and spiritual care immediately

⏱️ Average call lasts 4 hours — we’re there every minute

 How You Can Make a Difference

Your generosity helps us maintain and expand vital services:

💧 Ongoing call-out support — $400 per response

🍫 Restocks shelves monthly — about $200 in snacks

🧺 Weekly truck washes keep everything mission-ready

❄️ Winter: vehicle must stay plugged in to keep pipes from freezing

🧊 Summer: 10–12 bags of ice used at each call-out!