FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Spreading holiday cheer one bag of tamales at a time.
Lines of cars stretched around the block for the third annual tamale drive at Roading Elementary.
Each bag is a glimmer of hope for hundreds of families facing tough times. Councilmember Analisa Perea says she sees the need firsthand, “Unfortunately, food insecurity is a real problem here in the Central Valley, so we’re doing our part, especially this holiday season.”
The drive was paid for through community donations, and that money then went to two local restaurants that hand-prepare each tamal. Guadalajara and CDT Cocina spent weeks making each one with love.
Samuel Garcia and his family have owned their restaurant for nearly four decades. Many of the passing cars were filled with familiar faces.
“About a week and a half ago, we started making them and started freezing. We all have. It’s a family thing,” Samuel says. “This is my mom. She’s the founder of the restaurant. I live in this area. I was born and raised in this area, so it’s good to give back when we can.”
Volunteers of all ages got in on the tradition, sharing smiles and the reason for the season.
Liz Sanchez with CDT Cocina says that’s what it is all about, “It’s really hard times for people right now, and it warms my heart to really see everything going on and people so happy on both sides to be giving and people so appreciative to be receiving on the other end. It’s beautiful.”
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