When Turlock resident Amie Prutch saw a need within the city, she decided to take matters into her own hands to help out.

In an effort to teach her children how to give back to the community, Prutch started up Loving Life — a small group dedicated to aiding the less fortunate. With the help of local businesses, Loving Life was able to feed about 50 people at the We Care Shelter in Turlock.

“My kids were so shocked that there are so many needy in our community,” said Prutch.

The We Care Program provides shelter service for 49 homeless men a night, who all fall at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Nightly, dinners are provided by volunteers who purchase, prepare and serve the meal. Anyone can serve a meal at the We Care Shelter, so long as they provide a hot meal for the shelters guests, which is suggested to include a main dish, side dish, vegetable, bread, dessert and a drink.

When talking to local business owners about how they could give back, many suggested serving food to the homeless, said Prutch.

Center Street Grill, Bistro 234 and Sunrise Bakery collaborated with Loving Life to make the good deed happen. Center Street Grill owner Armando Magana not only donated spaghetti dinners with salad for the men, but also stuck around to serve them. Soup from Bistro 234 was served to the homeless as well, along with bread from Sunrise Bakery.

“We are concerned citizens and want to help out wherever we can,” said Prutch. “It’s extremely rewarding.”

Loving Life plans to continue putting together meals for the homeless, and Prutch encourages any local businesses or residents wishing to donate items or help out to contact her at 209-380-0246. The group plans to give back to the community through other means, too, such as making blankets to donate to the homeless.

“When we came home from serving the dinner, my kids said it was the best thing they’ve ever done,” said Prutch.