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GLIDE Gives Away Groceries To Those In Need In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - In the heart of San Francisco's Tenderloin, GLIDE volunteers gave away thousands of bags of groceries to those in need on Friday.

Hundreds of volunteers assisted in the annual grocery giveaway. Lines stretched around the block and barricades kept the masses from spilling into the street.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

Addicts, immigrants and many who are just down on their luck walked away with a bag full of food.

"I got bread, turkey and macaroni and cheese," said one recipient.

"I wouldn't normally come down here but I came here today because I need help," said another in line.

Long-time Glide Memorial Church leader Rev. Cecil Williams greeted many of the people as they received their bags, admitting the desperation and suffering does get to him sometimes.

"Sure I get down," he said. "But I have ways of coming up. "

Those ways include engaging in dialogue, expressing a sense of love and sharing.

"It's cold, it's wet, but the people know that we're here," Williams said.

5,000 bags of groceries were given out this year as GLIDE didn't have the necessary resources to hand out the normal 6,000 bags.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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