If you head down to Record Street on Thursday, don't be surprised to see some people in some strange outfits giving a helping hand to those who are in need.
For the last eight years, on Thursdays, the Pirates of Reno have been serving food to the less fortunate along Record Street. But that isn't the only thing the pirates are doing to help the community, in what they are saying is “the pirate way”.
Three pirates walked into a business and as much as they joke around, what they are doing is serious business.“We are passionate about our homeless,” said Pirates Of Reno Commodore Kraken Ron Nobles.The group, Pirates of Reno, serve food to the homeless at the parking lot outside of the mission on Record Street in downtown.
“If it’s raining, snowing, or windy then we are out there serving,” said Nobles. They also hand out socks to the less fortunate while they are there. The socks are collected from donations as part of their Golden Sock Campaign.“One gentleman started crying. He explained it to me. He said that it was happy tears. No one ever thinks of their feet. It’s raining. It’s snowing. They have no place to wash these socks. And you bring in these brand new white socks. It makes them feel so great inside,” said Nobles.
The pirates also give free haircuts twice a year. They also distribute donations like clothing and other items.“We give out sleeping bags to different groups,” said Nobles.
The idea of dressing up as a pirate for the group members, came from a theme bar in Reno called The Pirate Ship. “It was like being at the movies. We actually would come in and have sword fighting,” said Nobles.The bar closed down, but the theme lived on in the group.“It's an amazing adventure. It's adventure every day,” said Nobles.
The group's leader has one bit of advice for someone who asked to join.“I told one volunteer, when he asked how to become a pirate. Well you are halfway there. You’re out here every Thursday night helping serve. Now you just have to dress like a pirate and attend 2 events,” said Nobles.
If you want to drop off socks or other goods for the Pirates of Reno to give to the homeless, you can do that at the company Nu-Motion at 280 South Rock Blvd, Suite 210. You can also find them Thursday night on Record Street, outside the mission, serving food and giving out the socks.
