FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Carrying carts and wearing jackets, hundreds of Fresno residents lined up Tuesday morning for the annual food giveaway at Manchester Center.
Amanda Lilly of Fresno got in line at 6 a.m. for the giveaway. She was one of the 1,500 people that waited for fresh fruits, veggies and breads. Lilly believes the food is a blessing to others.
"They're going to have food on the table, and families will be happy," she said.
The Open Hands Pantry, a ministry of the Life Church, holds weekly food giveaways, but wanted to reach out to more people across Fresno with this event.
"Because people have a need. We see it on a weekly basis, but when it comes close to Thanksgiving, we really see a bigger need and so that's why we do it," said Raul Reyna with the pantry.
Nearly 100 volunteers spent their time helping out from boxing up food to loading carts. Some even brought their children, who say they're learning to serve the community.
"Because they might not have stuff, and then we can help them, and then they'll be happy," volunteer Jose Jr. Coronado said.
The Community Food Bank donated the produce to the food giveaway.
"So every single month we serve 220,000 people and over 100,00o of those are children right here in the Central Valley," Community Food Bank Director of Development Kym Dildine said. "The general public thinks about hungry people during Thanksgiving but really hunger is an everyday disaster. It goes on all year long."
Food bank officials say many Valley families are still facing tough times, and they are always taking cash or food donations so they can help even more people.
This is the third year the Open Hands Pantry has put on the food giveaway at the Manchester Center. More than 41,000 pounds of food was distributed to local families.