Friday morning at Fresno Mission’s City Center, First Fruits Market reached capacity almost immediately.

Families, veterans, furloughed government workers, and others in need shuffled through the doors, looking for something basic — eggs, bread, fresh produce, frozen meats — but leaving with something more: a moment of dignity in a place where economic uncertainty is becoming normal.

The market, run by the Central California Food Bank, is built to feel like a grocery store. Shoppers grab a cart, check in with volunteers, and move quietly through the aisles. No one is made to feel like they’re asking for charity. It’s simple, but in a world where systems fail so many, small gestures like that matter.

Anthony W. Haddad
The Millennial View

Matthew Dildine, CEO of Fresno Mission, has seen the demand for food assistance steadily grow, especially during the government shutdown.

Lines at the market are forming earlier and earlier — what used to start at four or five in the morning now begins the afternoon before the market opens, sometimes as early as 1 p.m., nearly 19 hours in advance.

The early and growing lines are a clear signal of the increasing need in the community.

Beyond Groceries: Fresno Market Volunteer Offers Comfort and Connection

The Central California Food Bank’s First Fruits Market is run entirely by volunteers, who also encourage those in need to help out so they can become part of the effort.

Steven Lapa has been volunteering with the Central California Food Bank for nearly five years, first at the original First Fruits Market and then at the current market for a little over two years.  Volunteering is about more than handing out food — it’s a way for Lapa to use his gifts to connect with people, provide comfort, and offer emotional and spiritual support.

He prays with people, listens to their struggles, and even hands out lollipops to children who come with their families.

One story that stands out to him is of an older woman who came in by herself and didn’t seem well. Lapa made sure she had water, a snack, and a place to rest while waiting to shop. As the morning went on, he kept an eye on her, and by the time she finished, she was feeling better. Before leaving, she thanked him, saying it had been a long time since anyone had shown her such care.

It was a small act, but it left a lasting impression on Lapa, reminding him how simply showing up can make a profound difference. For Lapa, these moments reinforce that there is hope and opportunity, even in challenging times — but people have to actively seek it.

Lapa also showed off the child play center, designed to look like the national forests. For many of the kids who come to Fresno Mission for services, a trip to the mountains is something they’ve never experienced — something most of us take for granted as an easy weekend drive. But for many children, it’s a dream.

He also took us to the community barbershop, where barbers and hairstylists donate their time to help people in need, offering more than a haircut — they offer care, attention, and dignity.

Volunteer, Shopper Brings Kindness Forward

Danny Borrero, an 83-year-old retired auto technician, started volunteering at the market after losing his girlfriend almost exactly a year ago. Her life was defined by kindness, he said, and he channels that every time he works the market. He tells himself not to judge anyone, because you never know their story.

Borrero recounted the story of one man, who appeared to be struggling with an alcohol and drug addiction. In truth, he was a veteran who had walked into a room to find that his 12-year-old had hanged himself. Borrero realized quickly that what looked like a bad choice was survival, a way to cope with unimaginable grief.

Borrero reflects on the challenges the people who come to the market face, and on the moments that stay with him.

“Some people don’t make it. I hate to see that. That’s the sad part. We have to turn people away.”

“So it has its ups and downs. In those times I felt kind of helpless. I can’t do nothing for them. Other times I can do something for them. It’s rewarding,” he said.

Through it all, Danny connects deeply with the people he helps because he’s living some of the same struggles. He usually relies on the market once a month when he has EBT benefits, but with those benefits gone, he’s started coming twice a month to make sure he can meet his own needs.

That personal experience gives him a sense of empathy for those walking through the market doors. He understands their challenges firsthand, and volunteering becomes a way to fill the gap — not just for them, but for himself as well.

Watching people leave the market with carts full of food, shoulders slightly lighter, there’s a reminder that even in a city strained by economic uncertainty and a country thrusted into a government shutdown, compassion is still possible.

Sometimes, it’s not the food that feeds you — it’s knowing someone saw you, cared enough to help, and gave you a moment of dignity. That’s the real takeaway.

Market Operating Hours and How to Help

To meet that demand, First Fruits Market will expand from three days a week to five days a week starting next week, said Dildine. the Fresno Mission CEO. Shoppers leave with between $150 and $200 worth of groceries, and Dildine emphasizes that donations go further here than most people might expect.

Food recipients must be 18 or older, with minors accompanied by an adult.

Normally, the market is open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. But with the holidays and a higher number of people in need, the market will be open Nov. 11–15, 18–21, 24–26, skipping Thanksgiving and the day after, and Nov. 29. Each day, the market will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Dildine notes that contributions to Fresno Mission or the Central California Food Bank can be amplified through their systems and partnerships, making each dollar stretch farther than it would at a supermarket.

For those looking to help, donating online to the food bank or the mission supports the grocery distributions and hot meals that sustain people in need.

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Click here to learn more on how to donate or become a volunteer of the Central California Food Bank.

Click here to learn more about Fresno Mission and how to donate.

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