The legacy of “Pete the Chef” will continue in 2020.
Pete Papadopoulos, owner of the Deluxe Café, provided free Thanksgiving meals to the community 25 years.
Seven years, ago, the Trinity Hotel took up the tradition in Pete’s memory. “We feed everyone, no questions asked,” said Trinity owner Janie Balzano, who noted that millionaires and members of the community’s transient population have sat next to each other and enjoyed meals together in years past.
During the Trinity’s first year, they only fed 21 fewer than the Joy Junction program in Albuquerque, Balzano said. They typically serve between 300 and 500. The Trinity especially loves it when firefighters and police officers come in on duty.
This year, the Trinity will be serving free Thanksgiving meals for pickup only through its drive-thru from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. You can call in large orders to (575) 234-9891.
“How could we let such a wonderful tradition go?” Balzano said. “Especially on a year when our community has so blessed our business and employers.”
Thank you again to the Balzanos and everyone working to help their neighbors out this year.
Albertsons Update: We have been informed that negotiations between Albertsons and the state were extremely positive over the weekend and a resolution may be on the immediate horizon. Please keep praying hard for all of our businesses right now.
Albertsons and their parent company, United Markets, have also made a very generous donation to the United Way of Eddy County to assist with diapers, formula, children’s medicine and other similar essentials. The United Way is handling distribution of these items to needy residents. Thank you again to Linda Dodd (United Way), David Beaty (Albertsons), John Jameson and Sidney Hopper (with United Markets) and everyone else involved.
COVID Update: The New Mexico Department of Health reported 79 new positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County on Sunday and one COVID-related death- a female in her 60s. The Department of Health reported 72 new positive cases on Saturday. Please take all possible precautions when preparing for Thanksgiving by keeping gatherings small, reducing travel when possible and staying updated on all CDC guidelines.
The number of new positives each day across the state and in West Texas also remains very high. El Paso continues to face one of the nation’s largest COVID-19 spikes.
In New Mexico, a special legislative session has been called for Nov. 24. New Mexico is looking at using $300 million from its CARES Act allocation on unemployment benefits, housing grants and grants for small businesses that have been impacted by the public health order. We will provide you updates from our local legislatures on what decisions are reached over the next few days.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway