Friends in the Desert Foundation hosts meals for those in need

On a winter afternoon, people are lining up 30 minutes early anticipating the doors to open at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church so they can enjoy a hot meal.

Patrons include some who are homeless and others who are just down on their luck.

No matter who they are and where they come from, the Friends in the Desert Foundation is there to serve them.

"People might say the economy is recovering," said Muriel Dufendach, secretary and facilities manager for the group. "You couldn't tell by this program."

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and food is served at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 43 W. Pacific Ave. The group serves at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and gives people a sack lunch to take with them since they don't operate Sunday.

Friends in the Desert started when its founders noticed people rummaging through the Dumpster behind the church in the Water Street District.

Instead of turning a blind eye, they decided to come up with a solution by offering food.

What started as a few churchgoers cooking for a few individuals grew into an organization that has fed more than 100 people in one afternoon.

The group formed a nonprofit in 1999, and the church allowed it to use its facility to host the meals.

With numbers of those being served increasing, the group slowly added days it would operate, eventually opening six days a week.

"It was originally 35, maybe 40 people," Dufendach said. "We served 97 last night."

The third quarter of 2012 averaged about 89 people per day, she said.

"Without us, there would be a lot of hungry people," Dufendach said.

She said many of the patrons have returned throughout the years.

"We probably have about 300 people who rotate through," Dufendach said. "Some might not be able to come every day because of distance or other reasons."

Marjory Kean, another volunteer with the group, said the doors are open to anyone in need.

"We don't screen for drugs or alcohol," Kean said.

She added that as long as people have good behavior and abide by the rules, they can receive food.

It's not a soup kitchen or a buffet line. When people come in, they can sit down and be served "with dignity," Dufendach said.

"They feel welcomed and not judged," she said. "They feel comfortable here."

Throughout the week, the organization receives donations from grocery stores, caterers, bakeries and coffee shops with items ranging from breads and baked goods to chicken and pizza.

"If someone had a party and had more food than people, they have extra platters of spaghetti to donate," Kean said. "We don't say no to anything. If we don't use it, we know someone who can."

Dufendach schedules volunteers, whether it's families, individuals or organizations, to prepare and serve each day.

When resources allow, Friends in the Desert also provides basic toiletry items such as toothpaste, plus socks, coats and blankets.

"I tell people we could always use blankets," Dufendach said. "We once had a school do a blanket drive and donate 70 blankets."

The program sees people from various age ranges and backgrounds.

"We get men, women and children," she added. "It is mostly men, though."

Although many are homeless, Dufendach said the program receives people who might have hardships such as unemployment.

"People who are the working poor," Dufendach said.

In recent years, Dufendach said she has received complaints from people in the neighborhood.

"It's not that they are against having a program," she said. "It's just they don't want it in their backyard."

Despite complaints, Dufendach sees a need in Henderson and will keep serving.

"Las Vegas is very rough on the homeless," she said. "It is a jungle, and they can't get fair treatment. It can be very dangerous."

For more information, call 702-565-8742 or visit friendsinthedesert.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.