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Nino's Restaurant: Serving Workers at Ground Zero

On September 11, Nino Vendome closed his New York restaurant to paying customers and began offering cups of coffee and a place to sit to the police, fire and other rescue workers digging through the remains of the World Trade Towers just blocks away.

"They were numb, " said Nino. "Some of them were totally exhausted, falling asleep at the tables."

Soon, Nino offered much more than coffee. Donations, food and volunteers came pouring in as the news spread that Nino's was open 24-7 to anyone working at the Trade Center. His restaurant served free meals around the clock and sparked a community spirit to lift the exhausted and dust-covered rescue workers. With the help of Mama Vendome, wife Linda and 8,000 volunteers, Nino's dished up nearly 500,000 meals. The IAM sent refrigerated trucks to store donated food. The New York Central Labor Council sent volunteers. "Jim Conigliaro, (District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative) worked here, too," said Nino.

"The Machinist helped make this happen. When we first opened the doors, we didn't know if we'd be here two days or a week," said Nino.

In February, 2002, with money drying up and visitors down, Nino's closed it's doors for good. A small kitchen staff will continue to supply about 1,000 meals per day to workers in the Ground Zero area.

"I wanted to continue this effort--taking care of the people who put their lives on the line for us, treating them the way they deserve to be treated," said Nino.

To view an IAM video of Nino's at work, click on the IAM 'Everyday Heroes' video project at www.goiam.org. More information about Nino's is available at www.ninos911.org.

Comments or Suggestions? E-mail the Communications Officer
of Siouxland Lodge 1426 IAMAW
Greg Enright