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Fourth annual dinner feeds 900 at Reno Events Center.
As many as 900 homeless, under- housed and other needy people were served a hot meal during the 4th annual Feed the Hungry Feast at the Reno Events Center. The dinner was sponsored by The Salvation Army and the Sportsmen Against Hunger (SAH) program of the Safari Club International Foundation (SCI). The event was held on the eve of SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters Convention in Reno.
SAH usually donates venison to The Salvation Army, part of which the Eldorado Hotel prepares as a delicious dinner. This year, due to shipping problems with the meat in Texas, the venison was purchased locally and paid for by SCI/SAH.
The Salvation Army and the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority hosted the dinner, with help from C & M Food Distributing, Swire Coca Cola, Model Dairy, Nestle Water, Truckee Sour Dough Bread Company and the Atlantis Hotel.
“This is our way of saying thanks to the Reno area for being such gracious hosts to the SCI Foundation and SAH these past years,” said Steve Rilenge, SCI Foundation Sportsmen Against Hunger chair and president of SCI’s Central Indiana Chapter. “The Feed the Hungry Feast is one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever participated in.”
Over 120 volunteers helped with the event, including country music singer Irlene Mandrell, pro bull riders Tony Mendes, Matt Bohon and Brendon Clark, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini.