Thousands of people from around the Valley converged on the large athletic field behind Computech Middle School on Saturday to get a free lunch and groceries, donated clothing, dental exams and haircuts.
Organizers of Convoy of Hope, a community outreach event to help the poor, expected as many as 10,000 people to show up.About one hour before the 3 p.m. closing time, people streamed out of gates laden with boxes and bags of groceries and clothing. But many people still were lined up for help.Sylvia Quintanilla, 51, of Fresno stood beside a shopping cart overflowing with groceries."We got really good stuff," said Quintanilla, who provides health care for her 85-year-old mother. "We got lettuce, mushrooms, pears, yogurts, potatoes, onions -- and zucchini. My mother's going to love that."Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Springfield, Mo., rallied local churches, faith-based organization and nonprofit groups to put on the event.Large tents were set up around the field. Fabric signs advertised the services inside each tent: Groceries, Prayer, First Aid, Clothing, Hair Cuts.Sammy Gonzales, 40, of Tulare sat on a folding chair, a large plastic bag of donated clothing for his teenage niece tucked between his legs.Gonzales missed getting a dental exam, but picked up a list of free clinics where he can get care later.Getting help "is pretty nice," said Gonzales, who recently lost his part-time job. "It's a little hard out there."Nearby in the haircut tent, Michelle Keluche, 53, of Fresno was getting a trim from beautician volunteer Melissa Woolf."I need the frizzies cut off the ends," said Keluche, her straight black hair cascading past her shoulders. "This helps. I don't work right now."Woolf was one of more than 1,500 volunteers who provided services, handed out groceries, helped carry groceries, picked up trash, guided crowds or prayed with people.The Community Food Bank expected to give away 80,000 pounds of packaged food and 80,000 pounds of produce.Volunteer Karen Lockwood filled trash bags with pears that had spoiled before they could be given away. But volunteers were happy to be helping, Lockwood said."It's great to be involved in serving other people, and this is more than a one-day event," she said. People got referrals to get help later, she said, so the community will benefit after Saturday.