‘Old Farts with Hearts’ Deliver Compassion and Care to San Diego’s Homeless - Times of San Diego

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the world came to a standstill and many homeless outreach programs shut down in the face of uncertainty and danger. But for a group of volunteers who humorously adopted the name “Old Farts with Hearts,” the mission couldn’t wait.

Co-founded by Bruce Higgins and Mark Miller, the group sprang into action, refusing to let the pandemic stop them from offering food, water and basic necessities to those in need.

The danger didn’t matter because, as Higgins pointed out, the homeless had no alternative options and needed support regardless of the risks involved.

After an initial two-week pause, the group resumed operations with precautions — gloves, masks and careful distribution of supplies.

What started with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches has transformed into a more organized initiative, with volunteers gathering each weekend to assemble provisions packs.

“We make about 120 sandwiches a week, usually divided up between a few people so no one gets overwhelmed,” Higgins explained.

Volunteers personally purchase supplies like tangerines, cheese sticks and bottled water, with occasional support from organizations such as the Lucky Duck Foundation.

The group’s efforts don’t stop at food. They noticed a growing need for pet supplies as many unsheltered people had pets, leading to the inclusion of dog and cat food in their deliveries.

Equipped with foldable rolling carts loaded with meal bags, clothing and pet supplies, the “Old Farts with Hearts” outreach team keeps going until their carts are empty.

“We hand out shoes, socks, underwear, you name it,” Higgins said, describing how Stacy, one of the group’s longtime volunteers, plays the role of the “dog whisperer” and clothing distributor.

Each week, volunteers scout different downtown encampments to visit — locations that have shifted dramatically due to the city’s camping ban, forcing the unhoused into areas along the freeway, riverbeds and canyons.

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Higgins said these sites pose significant dangers, especially during the region’s unpredictable weather. The group worries about the safety of these campers, especially when floods come, as several people have been swept away in past years, according to Higgins.

“Worthless human garbage” is just one of the insults shouted by a passerby while Higgins was assisting the homeless, and volunteers have also faced having the police called on them for their efforts.

Despite the hostility, the group remains hopeful.

“There are a lot of people who curse the homeless and try to drive them away, but we see it differently,” Higgins said. “We’re here to help. It doesn’t matter why you’re homeless — what matters is that you’re here, and we can do something to help get you through another week.”

Higgins, a retired miner and nonprofit executive who moved to San Diego 20 years ago, has an unwavering sense of duty.

“I can’t solve national hunger or fix the systemic issues, but I can make a difference in a small area of my city,” Higgins said. “San Diego is my town. If I don’t like the way it’s going, it’s my responsibility to change it.”

It’s this spirit of personal responsibility and compassion that drives “Old Farts with Hearts” to continue their work. Each week’s goal is simple: offer food, clothing and perhaps the most important gift — a sense that someone cares.

As the group looks toward the future, they hope their work will inspire others.

“You don’t need a multi-million-dollar budget to make a difference,” Higgins said.

It can be simple. Higgins has seen people drive up to a group of the unsheltered, throw open their trunks and hand out pizzas and soda.

“There’s a saying I live by,” Higgins said. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

“If there is a need, we’re going to feed.”

To learn how to volunteer and support “Old Farts with Hearts,” email [email protected].

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