Convoy of Hope in Fresno

Saturday, November 07, 2009

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Shannon Handy
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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Convoy of Hope event is in its final stages of cleanup. Saturday's event included free food and a variety of services.

And organizers said they were overwhelmed by the community's response. "They got cookies. We got an orange, which we'll real happy with, and they got a pear."

Letticia Galvan brought her entire family to the Convoy of Hope event in Southwest Fresno Saturday.

She left with her hands full of food and her heart filled with gratitude. "My husband lost his job. My daughter lost her job, so we're all just helping each other out. Just hanging on."

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More than 70 valley churches partnered with dozens of community groups to help put on Saturday's massive charity event.

About 3,000 volunteers passed out 160,000 pounds of food, and provided free services such as resume assistance, dental work, and even haircuts. "It's a speechless situation; working out great, all the way tremendous, wouldn't trade it in for the world."

Convoy of Hope puts on more than fifty of these events every year. Organizers said an estimated 10,000 people came to this one here in Fresno Saturday. And they said that's the most they've ever seen. "And basically what today was was a place where people could come and be loved and have everything given to them with no questions asked, and have everything be free and just come and enjoy themselves."

With every county in the Central Valley reporting double-digit unemployment rates, people here said Saturday's event is exactly what they needed to help them get by.

"Very needed. I mean this is awesome that this was done. Very awesome."

"Making resources, different resources available to families, low to moderate income families is an expression of love, and that's what I saw here.

Mayor Ashley Swearengin released a proclamation at Saturday's event, calling November "Convoy of Hope month."

The hope for people out here today is that people in the valley will continue to donate food and services to those in need.