Nino Vendome Group establishes relief fund.

Since Sept. 13, Nino's, located at 431 Canal St., has served more than 100,000 free meals and beverages to rescue effort workers in lower Manhattan. The restaurant, which serves as a relief center, is open throughout the day and evening and will serve complimentary meals as long as needed, according to owner Antonio Nino Vendome.

Vendome has already served more than $1 million in food and beverages and plans on keeping the restaurant open to the workers until the rescue and rebuilding effort is complete.

"We've made a commitment to keep our doors open until our city is rebuilt, healed, and up-and-running. To that end, we created the Nino Vendome Group Zero Relief Fund 9/11, a non-profit corporation operated exclusively as a relief center that feeds and comforts rescue and relief workers," Vendome said.

Nino's serves 5,000 workers a day around the clock and to continue its efforts the fund is requesting food, restaurant supplies, and donations from large corporations, restaurants, and individuals.

Anyone wishing to donate food or volunteers their services as a chef or a manager should contact Nick Pasculli at [phone] or [phone].