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Hope Fest to offer services to impoverished Saturday

Posted at 4:36 PM, Oct 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-23 13:34:04-04

Giving hope, to those who have given it up. That's the theme of the 24th annual Hopefest, the annual event designed to help out those in the community that need help. 

Thousands of people showed up to Kino Stadium on Saturday for the event, where more than 1,200 volunteers were there to give out free clothing, groceries, hygienic products -- even basic dental and medical procedures.

"We basically provide goods and services to those who find themselves in a time of need," event director Lisa Chastain said.

Chastain explained the event draws tons of different people -- from veterans and refugees to uninsured and homeless people.

Many of the volunteers at Hopefest were not first-timers, like Alex Page, a senior at the University of Arizona.

"Just taking the time to do a little something like this really makes the difference," Page said. "And so, I'm really proud to be a part of this."

He believes people often have too many preconceived notions that get in the way of helping out. So he hopes people can see through them and go the extra mile to help out.

"There's kind of this, misconception, I feel, that people who are poor are not working hard enough," he said. "But really, these are hardworking people who just don't have the same opportunities that some others do."