ER Nurse Brings Coworkers Together to Feed Homeless

Once a month, Renown ER Nurse, Rae Mangat, RN, and nearly a dozen of her coworkers and their family members come together to cook meals and feed more than 400 homeless people. Mangat, who works at South Meadows Medical Center, began the volunteer project more than three years ago as part of the Sikh Sewa Society of Reno. "A couple of things inspired me to do this. As an ER nurse at Renown South Meadows, we see a lot of homeless coming in for just a hot meal," says Mangat. "I wanted to do something for the community and have our Renown members help me do this. I've been at Renown for 14 years and it brings the doctors and nurses together as a family making positive changes." The group prepare the meals at the Sikh Temple Reno and take them to the Community Assistance Center the last Sunday of the month. Part of the goal of the Sikh Society of Reno is to make residents more aware of their religion. "It is part of our religion and faith to be helpful," says Sikh Society Member Jesse Bhatia. Renown ER Doctor Sam Shields and his wife, Julia, are among the volunteers. They bring about 400 cookies to feed the homeless and also help with the cooking and serving. "These people are just absolutely grateful. They are so humble and so much gratitude is given to you because they're getting food which they desperately need. You get paid back in full and then some," says Julia Shields.