When tribal casinos were forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, casino leaders recognized that despite the hardships their businesses faced, community members were also struggling. Tribal casinos and their restaurants saw an opportunity to give back by donating food to those facing food and economic insecurity during the pandemic.

Examples of charitable donations from tribal casinos across the United States include:

• Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California donated nearly $100,000 worth of food to three charities in Riverside County supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the region.
• Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Michigan donated seven tons of food to local nonprofits supporting those in need, including Dégagé Ministries, Feeding America West Michigan, Hand2Hand and Exodus Place.
• The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians donated 7,450 pounds of perishable foods from its Four Winds Casino locations in Michigan and Indiana to Feeding America and Cultivate.
• The Stillaguamish Tribe donated 1,800 pounds of food from its Angel of the Winds Casino Resort in Arlington, Washington to Arlington Community Food Bank and the Stanwood Camano Food Bank.
• The Tulalip Tribes donated close to 2,700 pounds of food from its Quil Ceda Creek Casino in Seattle to the Marysville Food Bank.

For more examples of tribal casinos making a positive impact on their community during the COVID-19 pandemic, please click here.