More than 10,000 people came to Convoy of Hope’s citywide outreach in Fresno, Calif., last weekend for free food, haircuts, medical and dental services, clothing, and entertainment.

“This outreach is the largest we’ve had this year,” says Dan Clark, an outreach director for Convoy of Hope. “The overwhelming response was not altogether unexpected considering the immense need that exits in the area. To counter that numerous churches and organizations partnered with Convoy of Hope to provide tangible help and lasting hope for thousands of people.”

Nearly 2,500 volunteers representing 76 churches and 65 local organizations helped distribute 160,000 pounds of food, give 500 haircuts, take 600 family portraits, repair bicycles, and conduct medical and dental screenings.

As is the case at all Convoy of Hope outreaches, everything was free. Which was good news for many of the guests who are reeling financially thanks to double-digit unemployment rates throughout the Central Valley.

One guest said times were tough. Another guest told a local television reporter that outreach was great and “I wouldn’t trade it in for the world.”

That sentiment seemed to reach the heights of local government too. Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin issued a proclamation at the outreach declaring the month of November to be “Convoy of Hope Month” in the city.