Playing poker and bingo at Pechanga also paid off in January for a local food bank.
Poker and bingo players took part in the Restock the Shelves campaign, which netted 4,400 pounds of non-perishable food for the Community Mission of Hope, a Pechanga news release states.
That amount is more than double the 1,900 pounds gathered last year at Pechanga Resort and Casino near Temecula, according to the release. The campaign aims to replenish the Mission's food supplies after the busy November and December holiday season. Each month, the Community Mission of Hope helps more than 400 residents and families in the Murrieta, Temecula, Anza and Aguanga areas.
Throughout January, players could bring donations and exchange them for incentives, such as early-bird game packs and bonus chips, the release states. Collected items included 20 boxes of macaroni and cheese, many bags of stuffing and other kinds of canned foods.
Restock the Shelves was organized by Pechanga, along with Ante Up Magazine and Blue Shark Optics.