Fresno Grizzlies, downtown businesses provide free Thanksgiving meals

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thanksgiving cheer was in the air at Chukchansi Park on Monday, as families received a free Thanksgiving meal.

Fresno residents say they got a call out of the blue that saved the day.

"I was ecstatic because we were low on food stamps and everything else, so it helped out a lot," said LaMar Ekern of Fresno.

Ekern was one of the 100 families helped by the super food giveaway. He was planning to head to the Poverello House, but will now enjoy the day at home.

"No I'm going to be the eater and the kid watcher," Ekern said jokingly. "My wife is going to be the one cooking all the food."

The Fresno Grizzlies partnered with several downtown businesses like Fresno Grocery Outlet, OK Produce, and Shepherd's Inn to give the meals away for free.

"You see the smiles, and I think that's the thing we were hoping for," said Ryan Young with the Fresno Grizzlies. "We wanted to see kids, we wanted to see families out here and really alleviate the stress for them during the holidays and the cost that is associated with a Thanksgiving meal."

Employees say they wanted to help those in the downtown area.

"It's an honor to own a business in Downtown Fresno, but then when you have the opportunity to give back to downtown residents, that's really cool," said Chris Caillier, owner of the Downtown Fresno Grocery Outlet.

Each family received a bag full of goodies to take home. Recipients say they're excited for the meal and to make memories with those they love most.

"This is going to be my last Thanksgiving with my sister, so I'm grateful for that. She's going to Alaska. Her husband is in the Army, so he's going to be stationed out there," said Bobbi Ekern of Fresno.

And families say not only will the meal make their Thanksgiving this holiday, it also gives them some hope.