Written By: Farah Vitale

The Reno Fire Dept. keeps up it’s tradition of giving gift baskets to families in need. The “Sam Saibini Christmas Food Basket Program” began 80 years ago. Current and retired firefighters drop off more than 200 gift baskets to families in need in Reno in fire engines. Members of the Reno Fire Department and local supporters have been funding the program over the years.

The program started during the Great Depression.

During the longest economic downturn, about 15 million people were unemployed in the U.S. People went to bed hungry every night. In 1932, Sam Saibini, a firefighter at the Reno Fire Dept., decided to help his town. He asked all the Reno Fire Dept. captains to help him donate Christmas dinners for the hungry. Then he asked every firefighter to donate a dollar towards buying food. During this time, Sam said people would break down fences just to burn wood to stay warm. So Saibini and his fellow fighters collected wood and coal to give out with the food. He retired later in 1968 as a Battalion Chief.

The program works close with the Salvation Army to help identify which families to choose. If you want to nominate a family, please contact the Salvation Army and mention the Sam Saibini Food Basket Program. You can make cash or check donations year round at any Reno Firehouse. 100 percent of the funds go directly to the purchase of the food baskets.

Follow Parc Forêt on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Stay up to date on all things outdoors, as well as Montrêux events and the Reno-Tahoe area!

For real estate inquiries, stop by the beautiful Montrêux Welcome Center at 16475 Bordeaux Dr.  or call us at 775.849.9444. The Welcome Center is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.