Reno chef Mark Estee is partnering with St. Vincent’s Dining Room Director Ray Trevino to serve the Catholic charity’s Christmas Day meal.
For the last 53 years, the Nugget casino has provided more than 1,400 free Christmas meals to the homeless and hungry citizens of Reno and Sparks. Although the Nugget has been under new ownership since 2013, the new owners have kept the tradition former owner John Ascuaga and his family began all those years ago.
Joining Estee and Trevino will be Nugget CEO Carlton Geer and Vice President of Food and Beverage Scott Kidd.
For Estee, doing something like this is a humbling experience.
“I am honored to be able to serve our homeless on this holiday,” Estee said. “I am humbled I get to work alongside so many who do this day in and day out. They are the true stars.”
Peter Vogel, CEO of Catholic Charities, feels that Christmas at St. Vincent’s is a special day.
“Our volunteers take time out of their own family gatherings to come and serve people in our community who are in need of a warm meal and a special place to feel welcome this holiday,” Vogel said. “We are so proud to have been working with the Nugget for so many years to make that possible.”
Those wishing to receive a free Christmas meal are welcome at St. Vincent’s Dining Room at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 25. St. Vincent’s is located at 325 Valley Road, Reno. As always, there are no requirements for getting a free meal and no questions asked of those wishing to receive this offer.
The St. Vincent’s Dining Room serves an average of 550 meals a day, six days a week, year round.
