Area families ‘really grateful’ for free meal

A steady stream of children, families and friends filed into Piero's restaurant Thursday for free turkey dinners and all the trimmings for what has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition going back 21 years.

Judging by this year's Turkey Gobble crowd sponsored by Youth Charities of Southern Nevada and 98 donors, more families than ever took advantage of the opportunity, a reflection of the economic downturn, said Piero's owner Evan Glusman.

Glusman, prepared to feed more than 1,000 people this year, said the early turnout Thursday was a clear sign there won't be 20 percent no-shows like two years ago. The difference this year is the recession's effect on the Las Vegas Valley, he said.

"When my dad and friends started it, they just wanted to give back," Glusman said while greeting those who came by buses and cars to the restaurant on Convention Center Drive.

"People are really grateful and dress up for the event. We've seen tears from children and looks of astonishment."

Adding to the aura of the feast were the many volunteers, community leaders and politicians. The list included Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

U.S. Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian filled in for his father, college basketball coaching icon Jerry Tarkanian.

"This is a very nice experience. It shows how thankful you should be for a meal," he said as he wheeled a cart of pumpkin pie desserts into a dining room at Piero's named for his dad.

Michelle Eagles with her family of eight was one who expressed appreciation for the meal and the volunteer servers.

"It was nice of them to take time away from their families to help us," she said.

For Darren White, a Gulf War Army veteran visiting from Indiana, the occasion meant "family togetherness and memories. It's a Norman Rockwell-type Thanksgiving," he said.

He sat at a table with a friend, Lisa Shaffer of Henderson, and her seven children, who for the past three years have been guests of one of the participating groups, the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada.

"I wish I could tell every one of them, 'thank you,' because I do appreciate it," she said about the sponsors and volunteers. "They take time away from their families to give us a chance to be together."

Other groups backing the event include the Jewish Center, St. Anne's Catholic Church, the Las Vegas Housing Authority and six elementary schools.

Contact reporter Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308.