LAS VEGAS — The Obodo Collective, a small nonprofit serving the Historic Westside, suffered a break‑in on Monday morning that left its storage sheds ripped open and essential equipment missing. The theft has put the organization’s food‑production and educational programs at risk just as it prepares for its fall harvest.
What was taken
According to executive director Tameka Henry, thieves cut through the chain‑link fence surrounding the sheds and stole a range of items, including power tools, gloves, craft supplies, saws, wood chippers and misting fans. These tools are used to grow food on the site’s garden and to teach community members how to cultivate their own produce.
Impact on the community
Henry explained that the collective grows more than 1,000 pounds of food each year, distributing it to families in the Westside. Since the garden began four years ago, the nonprofit has helped support roughly 600 families who are staying housed, and thousands of individuals have attended its classes and events since opening in 2020.
“It’s a big setback because the funds that we have, you know, where we can support more families – now we’re having to replace items,” Henry said, emphasizing that the loss will divert money from other critical needs.
Call for help
The organization relies heavily on volunteers, donations and grants, which have become less frequent. Henry urged residents to assist by volunteering time or donating gift cards from home‑improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, enabling the collective to replace the stolen equipment and purchase seeds for the upcoming planting season.
“We arrived to find that our shed had been broken into. Someone cut through the chain‑link fence and stole a lot of our tools,” Henry recounted, adding that no one was injured during the incident.
How to support
Community members who wish to help can contact the Obodo Collective through its website, obodocollective.org, to learn about volunteer opportunities or to donate needed supplies. The nonprofit hopes to restore its sheds quickly so it can continue feeding and educating the Historic Westside neighborhood.
Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
