FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno Mission and Central California Food Bank host One Table Fresno for the fifth year, an event that feeds thousands in the city.
Organizers say this year has been their biggest year yet.
Diana and Dakota streets in Fresno were blocked off Saturday afternoon, transforming into a long row of tables and chairs to seat more than a thousand community members.
The goal was to bring people from all walks of life together.
Because, as the CEO of Fresno Mission, Matthew Dildine says, we are better together.
“The reason we had one table was centered around the idea of just bringing everybody in the community together, whether you’re rich, whether you’re poor, whether your coverage is full, or whether it’s not. One table in Fresno served over 4-thousand meals and thousands of holiday meal boxes Saturday afternoon,” said Dildine.
The line of people waiting for a meal was 3 blocks long.
“The practical reason is that people started lining up for this event at 1.30 in the afternoon yesterday. So, just the resources are a significant thing for people who need them,” said Dildine.
This event would not be possible without the help of the 500 volunteers.
Co-CEO Kym Dildine says it’s surprising to learn the community that helps feed the nation is struggling to feed itself.
“There are high levels of poverty right there in Fresno. And so, these two organizations serve neighbors experiencing varying levels of life and security all year round,” said Dildine.
And with temperatures dropping in the Valley, they’re also making sure people stay warm.
“We have a whole room, it’s like a whole store, all the jackets are hung up, and we have people personally shopping with people,” said Dildine.
Business owners, organizations, and police departments also helped serve food.