the last bite
Blackie Martin, of Reno, works his way
through the food line
LOVING HEARTS CLUB
Locals provide food for Reno’s homeless.
WRITTEN BY JEANNE LAUF WALPOLE
PHOTOGRAPHED BY CANDICE NYANDO
A s a guitarist and founder of the Reno-based band The Mighty Surf Lords, Billy Woods has been touching the hearts of others with his music most of his life. The tables were turned several years ago, however, when Woods was deeply touched by the plight of the estimated 5,000 homeless people in Reno who face challenges getting enough nutritional food to eat every day. In January 2009 Woods and bandmate Karmin Robbins established the Loving Hearts Club as a nonprofit organization committed to helping feed homeless people.
“It felt really good to us to give to those in need,” Woods says. “We just love what we do.”
Since its founding, the group has been offering a potluck dinner from 5 to 6 p.m. every Sunday outside the shelter complex at 335 Record St. in Reno. Serving from 200 to 500 people each week, the meal consists of food cooked and donated by individuals along with food provided by area restaurants and other businesses.
“We don’t have a menu,” Woods says. “It just works out. It’s amazing.”
Businesses who regularly participate include Great Thyme Catering, The Isles, Men Wielding Fire, Keystone Cue & Cushion, and several 7-Eleven stores in Reno as well as Adele’s Restaurant and Lounge in Carson City. Always on the lookout for additional food sources, Woods encourages area restaurants to donate rather than throw out food. He can be reached at 775-287-7593 for pickup seven days a week.
In addition to the meal, about once a month the club puts on events that provide access to haircuts, live music, veterinarian care, and clothing. Donations, such as sleeping bags, gift cards to food stores, socks, dog food, towels, and clothes can be dropped off at 328 Roberts St. Cash is not accepted. For details, visit www.Lovingheartsclub.com or follow the group on Facebook.
In addition, We Care Volunteers provides food to Reno’s homeless at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Loka Tile Group at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. You can follow both of these groups on Facebook and reach We Care at 775-303-3149 and Loka Tile at 775-359-4388 or www.Lokatilegroupinc.com.
Jeanne Lauf Walpole is a Reno-based freelance writer who interacts with many nonprofit groups through her volunteer work at Crisis Call Center.
