Page 23 - Southern California Gaming Guide • November 2021

SIycuan Donates $20,000 to Rollin Roots
n early October, a local San Diego food truck, Rollin Roots, was burned to the ground. The owner Avonte Hartsfield believed it to be a hate crime after a previous series of burglaries and vandalism. Hartsfield was raising funds for his business and had set up a GoFundMe page for supporters to donate.
The funds will be used to open his upcoming Rollin Roots restaurant location, put a down payment on a new food truck and keep the restaurant afloat. Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation presented a surprise
$20,000 donation to Hartsfield to help him rebuild “We are here today because a special need has been brought to the tribe’s attention,” said Cody Martinez, Chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, at the check presentation. “In the ongoing spirit of Kumeyaay giving, we are here to present a check for $20,000 to Mr. Avonte
WSan Manuel Band Donates $100,000 to Las Vegas Non-Profit
after this devastating attack.
Hartsfield from Rollin Roots food truck. He’s been
through a lot to his detriment the last few weeks.
Sycuan has found a perfect opportunity to step
in and help support him to get back on his feet
and keep doing what he loves to do to serve the
community.” Rollinrootssd.com.
ith an ongoing mission to provide a “hand up” to underserved community involvement and support we have provided in Southern California populations, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donated and across Indian country, and we are humbled and honored to continue this $100,000 to Las Vegas based non-profit Three Square Food Bank. tradition of giving here in Las Vegas.”
This donation is a part of the Tribe’s ongoing commitment to the communities that they serve. Subject to regulatory approvals and licensing, the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority is planning to acquire The Palms and introduce San Manuel’s philanthropic values to Las Vegas.
“It is important to our Tribe that we work to impact and change lives of those who are in need and facing economic challenges,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman Ken Ramirez. “Our Tribe is proud of the
Three Square is Southern Nevada’s only food bank and largest hunger relief organization, serving Las Vegas and all of Clark, Lincoln, Esmeralda and Nye counties. Since opening in 2007, Three Square has provided more than 444 million pounds of food to hundreds of thousands of people in need and earned a reputation as one of the most efficient and effective food banks in the country.
Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. Learn more about Three Square at ThreeSquare.org.
For more information about Rollin Roots, visit
NOVEMBER 2021 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE PAGE 23
November 2021 Tribes in the News