More older Nevadans need food, housing assistance; Friends in the Desert offers a lifeline
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — In a corner of Henderson where a marsh meets a lake, a long-running local nonprofit says it meets people where they are, offers meals, and increasingly sees seniors struggling to get by.
The Friends in the Desert Foundation has been providing daily meals in the Henderson area for more than 30 years. Teresa Savoy says their effort began with a simple request.
“We lease a space out of St. Timothy’s church in the downtown Henderson area. There was a knock at the door; somebody was hungry. They made them a sandwich. The next day, they came with a friend, so we started realizing there was need in the area,” Savoy said. Now, the organization serves about 100 people each day, six days a week, with an additional dish packaged for Sunday.
Savoy said the people coming for help have changed over time, with more older adults now relying on the meals.
“Definitely. We’re getting a lot of seniors now. More than ever,” she said.
Federal data show people 50 and older are the fastest-growing group of those experiencing homelessness, making up almost 20% of the sheltered population — nearly 2 points higher than 2020 — and those numbers are expected to triple by 2030.
Savoy said the cost of living is a major factor, including seniors who lose a spouse and are left trying to survive on a single income.
“Even with the seniors, they might have a spouse that passes away, and that leaves them with one income in the household, and it's not enough,” she said.
Community partners support the group’s work, and another fundraising effort is set for Nov. 14, when the trails at Cornerstone Park will host the Gratitude Walk. The event is hosted by the New Song church, and 100% of the proceeds will go to charities fighting food insecurity, including Friends in the Desert.
“We’re very grateful for all of the help that we can get,” Savoy said.
Beyond meals, the organization also connects people to resources such as housing and recovery support. Savoy described the atmosphere as welcoming for those who come through the doors.
“There’s a lot of love there. When you come in our church and sit in our dining room, it's like family, it’s like coming home,” she said.