Winter 2025 | Edible Notables

From Cookies to Community

Thomas Hill’s Thanksgiving mission.

Thomas Hill never intended to become Reno’s unofficial Thanksgiving coordinator. In 2018, the disabled veteran was living in low-income housing when he noticed something disheartening: His neighbors couldn’t afford proper Thanksgiving dinners.

“I saw a bunch of people there that couldn’t really put on a Thanksgiving dinner,” Hill recalls.

Rather than simply acknowledging the problem, he acted.

The Cookie Solution
Hill’s solution was elegantly simple: He started baking. He began making cookies, selling them to raise funds to support veterans and provide meals for those in need. What started as a business called Cookies for Kindness grew into something much larger.

His grassroots efforts caught the attention of The Bridge Church in Reno, whose leaders offered him access to its kitchen in 2019. The partnership proved transformative. That first year, Hill served more than 200 people at the church, sourcing ingredients from food banks and donations.

Pandemic Innovation
When Covid made traditional gatherings unsafe, Hill pivoted and, instead of canceling, created complete Thanksgiving dinner kits. The numbers tell the story: 1,500 kits were distributed during each pandemic Thanksgiving, allowing families to celebrate safely at home.

Post-pandemic donor fatigue presented new challenges, but Hill found steady supporters in the Reno Lions Club and KT Grace Foundation. Operating on his disability check, Hill uses donations primarily for food purchases while volunteers handle distribution.

Community Partnership
What makes Hill’s operation truly successful is the dedicated volunteer network he’s built. At the center are the Wild Whimsical Women, a group of volunteers led by Marilee Watts. While Hill manages kitchen operations, the WWW handles the front of house — greeting guests, serving meals, and ensuring everyone feels welcome.

“Between the WWW and The Bridge Church offering the space and use of the kitchen, it’s truly a community effort,” Hill explains.

The partnership allows Hill to focus on food preparation while the WWW creates the warm, dignified experience that makes guests feel at home.

Year-Round Impact
Hill’s role has evolved beyond Thanksgiving. Now serving as kitchen manager at The Bridge Church, he coordinates multiple programs: food pantry distributions twice monthly, Wednesday youth dinners, ongoing veteran support, and those cornerstone holiday meals.

For Thanksgiving 2024, the numbers reflect both growth and community need: 40 turkeys were prepared, and 650 plates were served. The church dining room filled with veterans, families, and community members, many of whom might otherwise have spent the holiday alone.

Hill’s story demonstrates how effective community work can happen. From his vision and cooking expertise to The Bridge Church providing facilities, to the WWW volunteers ensuring every guest feels valued, it’s a model that now feeds hundreds, supports veterans, and strengthens the bonds of community, all built on collaboration rather than charity.

To make food or monetary donations to the feast or to Thomas Hill’s generous efforts to feed the community, please drop off dried or canned goods at the church starting Nov. 1 or perishables after Nov. 11.

Mail checks made out to “The Bridge Church,” with the memo “For Thanksgiving Buffet” to:

Thomas Hill
c/o The Bridge Church
1330 Foster Drive
Reno, NV 89509