Thanksgiving meals offered to those in need

Two area businesses and a church are offering free Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

The Carson Nugget continues its tradition of offering a free meal on Thanksgiving. The meal this year is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the upstairs ballroom " not the coffee shop.

Guests simply take their check to the cashier and say, "I'm a guest of the Nugget today."

"It's been busy, busy," said Alex Canos, food and beverage director and executive chef at the Carson Nugget. "We're actually preparing food for three events Thursday.

"The free thanksgiving meal in the ballroom is our spirit to the community, our service. We are expecting a lot people for the free meal. Last year we served about 3,500. We have 25 staff who are working this, including dishwashers."

The tradition began with the Richard Graves, first owner of the Carson Nugget, when a family of four could not pay for their meal.

The two other events are meals in the coffee shop and steakhouse. For $8.88 in the coffee shop the meal will include turkey with gravy or honey-glazed ham with raisin sauce, candied yams with marshmallows, green beans almdondine and choice of pie " apple, harvest pumpkin or cherry. More elegant meals will be available in the Nugget's steakhouse. Hours of Thanksgiving dinner in the coffee shop are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and 4-9 p.m. in the steakhouse.

For the fifth year, Bully's Sports Bar, 3530 N. Carson St., will host a free Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, as well as Stewart Community Baptist Church, 5340 Snyder Ave., which will offer a meal at 1 p.m.

"It's all about giving," said Shelley Ellison of the church. "The church loves people, and God has given us a heart for people. "

Ellison, wife of Rev. Wayne Ellison, said the church draws a lot of people for the Thanksgiving meal through its food pantry, with many of them not having the money to purchase a Thanksgiving dinner.

"Oh, man, we had about 70 people two years ago and about 50 last year," she said.

"We usually have between 50 and 80, and we're expecting the same this year."

Ellison said they cook eight large turkeys and offer all the trimmings " mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, salads, and they cook a big ham.

"The church eats together every Sunday after service, and we hand out food boxes the second and third Sunday of the month. We do see a greater need in our community, and we enjoy doing this."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

For the fifth year, Bully's Sports Bar, 3530 N. Carson St., will host a free Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, as well as Stewart Community Baptist Church, 5340 Snyder Ave., which will offer a meal at 1 p.m.

"It's all about giving," said Shelley Ellison of the church. "The church loves people, and God has given us a heart for people. "

Ellison, wife of Rev. Wayne Ellison, said the church draws a lot of people for the Thanksgiving meal through its food pantry, with many of them not having the money to purchase a Thanksgiving dinner.

"Oh, man, we had about 70 people two years ago and about 50 last year," she said.

"We usually have between 50 and 80, and we're expecting the same this year."

Ellison said they cook eight large turkeys and offer all the trimmings " mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, salads, and they cook a big ham.

"The church eats together every Sunday after service, and we hand out food boxes the second and third Sunday of the month. We do see a greater need in our community, and we enjoy doing this."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.