On this week’s episode of the Scottsdale Vibes Podcast, host Alicia Haygood sits down with someone who is quietly—but powerfully—changing the way Scottsdale gives back. Scottsdale Serve Squad, a community-led nonprofit movement founded by Rocky Diehm, has become one of the fastest-growing grassroots efforts in the Valley. And it all started with a simple idea: show up, give back, and treat every person with dignity, compassion, and heart.
A Grassroots Idea That Sparked a Movement
Rocky shares that Scottsdale Serve Squad wasn’t born from a formal plan or a large organization. It began with just four friends who wanted to make a difference in their city. After a Saturday run club, they went to Costco, bought Gatorade, snacks, and water, and drove to downtown Phoenix to hand them out to people experiencing homelessness.
They posted a photo on Instagram.
And then everything changed.
More people wanted to join. More people wanted to help. Donations began coming in. Within months, the group grew from a handful of friends to 20+ volunteers each month, all showing up ready to serve.
“It really was organic,” Rocky explains. “People are looking for ways to give back, and we’re just happy to create the space for it.”
Small Items, Big Impact
Scottsdale Serve Squad focuses on simple, meaningful essentials—water, snacks, hygiene kits, blankets, sandwiches—and delivers them to people who need immediate relief. In the summer months, volunteers pack ice-cold towels to place around people’s necks. The instant relief, Rocky says, is something you never forget.
These items may be small, but the message behind them is powerful: You are seen. You are valued. Someone cares.
Rocky emphasizes that their mission goes beyond handing out supplies. Volunteers take time to look people in the eyes, ask how they’re doing, listen to their stories, and offer hope. “It’s not just transactional,” she says. “Sometimes the most meaningful gift is presence.”
Stories That Stay With You
During the conversation, Rocky shares a story that deeply moved her. While serving downtown, the group met a young man named Chase. He wasn’t homeless, but he lived in a transitional home and was struggling to afford a bus ticket to see his mom for the first time in five years.
They gave him the money—and something even more important: kindness, conversation, and prayer.
It’s moments like these, Rocky says, that remind her why the Serve Squad exists.
How the Serve Squad Operates
The group currently meets once a month, typically on the second Saturday. Before each event, they post a packing list on Instagram so volunteers know what to bring. People can also donate financially, and 100% of contributions go directly toward supplies.
Because the group is growing so quickly, Scottsdale Serve Squad is now building a website, systemizing operations, and collaborating with others—including a local organizer named Jenna who discovered the group on TikTok. Together, they’re assembling 900 Thanksgiving food boxes for families in need.
And the momentum keeps building.
Holiday Outreach: What’s Coming Up
This month, the Serve Squad is helping provide full Thanksgiving meals to families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them. Next up: a Christmas outreach effort offering customized stocking stuffers for families navigating financial hardship.
“These are the things kids remember forever,” Alicia notes. “Being able to bring that joy back to families is priceless.”
A Movement Built on Compassion
Scottsdale Serve Squad is still under a year old, yet the ripple effect is undeniable. People want to be involved. People want to help. And Rocky is proof that you don’t need a big organization, a big budget, or a big platform to create big change.
You just need heart.
Get Involved
If you want to volunteer, donate supplies, or support an upcoming outreach event, you can connect with the Serve Squad on Instagram at:
@scottsdaleservesquad
