City of Reno, NV
12/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2025 11:20
Reno Firefighters Continue Annual Saibini Food Basket Tradition
It's officially the holiday season! To continue giving back to the community they serve, current and retired Reno Fire Department (RFD) firefighters will assemble and deliver holiday food baskets to families in need on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8 a.m. at Station 21, located at 2501 Mill St.
This year's program is dedicated to Jana Maas, a recently retired firefighter with RFD who passed away unexpectedly. Maas devoted countless hours to the program every year, ensuring every basket brought joy and dignity to its recipients.
"We are proud to honor Jana's legacy this year, as she took great care to ensure our department honored Sam Saibini," said Reno Fire Chief David Cochran. "This one is for Jana, and as firefighters, we're always in the business of giving back. Being able to help families who may need extra support during this time of year is important to us."
Families are selected for the program through referrals from a number of community-based organizations and agencies. This year, Reno firefighters are planning to distribute 150 baskets.
The tradition of these food baskets began over 90 years ago, in 1932, when the late Sam Saibini, a Reno Fire Department firefighter, asked captains at each Reno fire station to help him provide Christmas dinners for families needing support during the holidays. Each firefighter donated $1 to help purchase the food.
The program has grown over the years, thanks to primary funding from RFD members and the generous support and services donated by local businesses and individuals who have learned about the program.
Additional background:
Saibini, who retired in 1968 as a battalion chief, decided to start the food basket program during the Great Depression when people were tearing down fences just to obtain wood to burn for heat. During that period, Reno firefighters also began to purchase supplies of wood and coal for distribution to local families, which were stored in a back storeroom with the food supplies at the old Central Fire Station at the corner of Commercial Row and West Street.
This year's program is dedicated to Jana Maas, a recently retired firefighter with RFD who passed away unexpectedly. Maas devoted countless hours to the program every year, ensuring every basket brought joy and dignity to its recipients.
"We are proud to honor Jana's legacy this year, as she took great care to ensure our department honored Sam Saibini," said Reno Fire Chief David Cochran. "This one is for Jana, and as firefighters, we're always in the business of giving back. Being able to help families who may need extra support during this time of year is important to us."
Families are selected for the program through referrals from a number of community-based organizations and agencies. This year, Reno firefighters are planning to distribute 150 baskets.
The tradition of these food baskets began over 90 years ago, in 1932, when the late Sam Saibini, a Reno Fire Department firefighter, asked captains at each Reno fire station to help him provide Christmas dinners for families needing support during the holidays. Each firefighter donated $1 to help purchase the food.
The program has grown over the years, thanks to primary funding from RFD members and the generous support and services donated by local businesses and individuals who have learned about the program.
Additional background:
Saibini, who retired in 1968 as a battalion chief, decided to start the food basket program during the Great Depression when people were tearing down fences just to obtain wood to burn for heat. During that period, Reno firefighters also began to purchase supplies of wood and coal for distribution to local families, which were stored in a back storeroom with the food supplies at the old Central Fire Station at the corner of Commercial Row and West Street.
City of Reno, NV published this content on December 17, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 17, 2025 at 17:20 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]