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Nonprofit Fights To Meet Growing Need With Weekly Community Food Distributions

The Fresno Center is getting ready for the holiday week ahead with a special turkey giveaway Monday. It’s the nonprofit’s latest effort to fight hunger during this pandemic.

What started as a monthly food distribution has now become a weekly event at the Fresno Center. It’s a lifeline for people like Wessly Sequeiros.

“These places that help us with the food help a lot since my wife is not working and I’m the only provider,” Sequeiros said.

His wife had to quit her job to oversee distance learning for their three children, while Sequeiros works as a manager at a fast food restaurant. 

They’re one of thousands of families receiving help thanks to Federal CARES Act funding from the City of Fresno. Fresno Center President & CEO Pao Yang hopes they’ll be able to continue services next year.

“A lot of funding to help the community is going to end December 30th and you know what, hunger doesn't end in one day,” Yang said.

Each Wednesday, 1500 food boxes are snapped up, he said. Even though each box feeds six people, Yang says that’s not enough for struggling families.

“The need is so high now, we don’t have enough food. We say 10 to 3, and by 1 or 2 o’clock, the food is gone,” Yang said.

Monday’s special turkey distribution is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Fresno Center located at 4879 E. Kings Canyon Rd. The nonprofit will still hold its regular Wednesday distribution Thanksgiving week.  

Soreath Hok is a multimedia journalist with experience in radio, television and digital production. She is a 2022 National Edward R. Murrow Award winner. At KVPR she covers local government, politics and other local news.
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