Phoenix Noiré, a self-described “vigilante” who dresses like a cat to reflect his “soul species,” is organizing his second annual Easter egg hunt for unhoused individuals under the banner of Homeless Lives Matter.
This event will take place on the Saturday before Easter, where the 45-year-old and a group of recruits plan to hide eggs throughout the Denver metro area.
Each egg will contain a handwritten quote from Jesus, a small amount of cash, and potentially a gift card donated by a local restaurant, making this hunt anything but ordinary.
Noiré is known for putting effort into the design of the eggs—some are adorned with stickers while others have a metallic finish.
The hunt will feature a golden egg containing the grand prize of $25.
Last year, Noiré hid the eggs on public transportation, in fountains, and near homeless encampments, creating a sense of community and hope.
Interestingly, this year, Easter coincides with the cannabis carnival 4/20, and Noiré aims to have the eggs hidden by 8 a.m. on Easter morning.
Eggs will be hidden in various areas including Capitol Hill, Englewood, Aurora, and along East Colfax Avenue, but Noiré has decided against placing any eggs at the 420 festival.
Funding has always been a challenge for Noiré.
Last year, he personally spent $75 of his own money to fill 30 Easter eggs while he was living in a halfway house, surviving on a Social Security check.
Now that he has moved into independent living, Noiré faces financial responsibilities that make finding $75 more difficult.
“Unfortunately, I have bills now,” he shared.
To expand this year’s hunt despite financial obstacles, Noiré has solicited support from friends and fellow activists.
This year, he has managed to accumulate $200 to distribute through the eggs, in addition to free meal vouchers supplied by Cafe 180 in Englewood.
His thoughtful approach ensures that the eggs are hidden in locations where they are likely to be discovered by people experiencing homelessness—those who are the primary recipients of this initiative.
Reflecting on the quotes included in the eggs, Noiré highlights messages such as:
“Blessed are the poor.”
“Whatever you do unto the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, but lose his soul?”
He previously included a quote about the difficulty for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God but has since decided it’s too judgmental, stating, “I’ve retired that.”
Noiré hopes that if someone with a home stumbles upon one of his eggs, they will act ethically.
Each egg comes with a note encouraging beneficiaries to give the egg to the next unhoused person they encounter.
He is aware that some housed individuals may hoard the eggs for themselves, but believes that shouldn’t deter him from doing the right thing.
“That’s no reason not to do the right thing,” Noiré emphasized.
Describing his efforts as a form of vigilantism, Noiré distances himself from the notion of using violence.
He asserts, “A lot of people, when they think of vigilantism, they think of like beating people up when you disagree with their actions.
“To that, I would say you’re thinking of police work.
Vigilantism is a direct action public service where you’re going out into the world with boots on the ground, seeing things that need done, and doing them.”
He clarifies that these actions do not need to be violent and often involve simpler tasks like picking up broken glass or helping individuals access necessary resources.
Noiré finds fulfillment in holiday-themed acts of vigilantism, such as the Easter egg hunt and a Halloween event where he distributes handwritten cards with community resource information.
“I’m not doing anything that you can’t do,” he pointed out.
“I was unhoused.
I was living in the streets.
I was one person with practically no power making a difference.
If I can do that from a position of being a nobody, a street urchin, how much more could somebody with privilege and power do?”
image source from：https://denverite.com/2025/04/18/denver-easter-eggs-cash-homeless/
