On Dec. 16 Sycuan Casino and resort presented a $150,000 donation to Big Table San Diego, a nonprofit organization that helps workers in the hospitality and restaurant industry in times of need.
said the ongoing pandemic hit the hospitality, food and beverage and restaurant industry hard. He said although all the gaming tribes shut down their doors early in the pandemic and all tribes took a big financial hit, tribes banded together, worked with the county and exercised their sovereignty and began reopening in May.
“With the latest stay-at-home order, we realized the hospitality, food and beverage industry would be further impacted and we are closing in on the holiday season,” he said.
Jesse Vigil, Big Table San Diego city director, said San Diego is Big Table’s third location, here in the region since last year. Big Table began in Spokane, Washington, in 2009.
“We come along side restaurants, hotels, breweries, bars and anyone else who works in the hospitality industry and we care for individuals who are in crisis depending on their circumstances,” he said. “We do this with no strings attached.”
Martinez said initially Sycuan talked with other tribes about doing something major for the industry. He said with so many furloughed, laid-off and facing tough financial situations that Sycuan moved forward to make this contribution alone.
“Not for any particular reason,” said Martinez. “We just felt that time was of the essence to get this money out. Because of our ability to operate and generate a level of revenue for the tribe and our charitable programs we were able to commit to $150,000, which is pretty significant. Countywide and nationwide, much charitable giving has been severely reduced.”
