Christmas is Tuesday, and many people across the Truckee Meadows will be digging in to some turkey, ham, prime rib or another special dish to celebrate.
Other families aren't as fortunate, but thanks to Harrah's Casino and the Salvation Army, about 600 people will get a true holiday meal who wouldn't otherwise.
"Everybody here helps us out a lot," Assistant Chef for Harrah's Raul Nunez says. "Even the front of the house gets into it."
Nunez and Head Chef Ricardo Hernandez do most of the food preparation. Hernandez says whenever there's an event this big, things are bound to go wrong at some point, but the rest of the team plays a huge role in keeping things on track.
"Always, always," Hernandez says. "But we're a team and it's always resolved."
Monday the milk order for the event didn't show up. Luckily, all they had to do was go and pick it up, so it was a small bump in the road.
Hernandez says it takes about two weeks total to collect and prepare the food. While he does events like this pretty often, it's a little different to give the food to those in need.
"I love what I do especially giving to other people, and especially on this holiday," Hernandez says, "I mean, you see a lot of people on the street and they need help. You're doing something extra for people out there. It makes you feel good."
"It's something that we like to do," Nunez says. "Harrah's gets involved in this all the time and I love doing it."
The meal will be served at lunch Tuesday, Christmas Day, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church at 1931 Sutro Street, Reno, NV, 89512.
