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Army joins forces to aid in Fresno drought.
by Laine Hendricks –
The Salvation Army in Fresno joined forces with the Big Fresno Fair, Community Food Bank, local media, Panera Bread and Central Valley Community Bank to conduct food drives to aid the agricultural communities affected by severe water shortages and drought conditions in Fresno County.
Two major events, which produced 56,700 pounds—28.3 tons—of food, preceded the Big Fresno Fair “Drought Relief Food Drive” day on Oct. 15.
“This community has never seen such an outpouring of care and compassion in one day,” Salvation Army’s Fresno County Coordinator Capt. Dwaine Breazeale said. “This Drought Disaster Relief Food Drive was incredibly successful and many families will benefit from this great effort. We are blessed.”
Fairgoers who brought three or more canned food items received free admission. The generosity continued through the end of the fair with all vendors pledging to donate their remaining food inventories as of close of business on Oct. 18.
“The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze me,” John Alkire, CEO of the Big Fresno Fair, said. “When there is a need, the Fresno community knows how to fulfill it and we hope that this amazing effort continues to multiply as our region’s suffering is not going to change any time soon. We thank the local media who played an integral role in drawing attention to the affects on our neighbors due to the drought conditions.”