Rick Clark, from Christ’s Community Church, said there were already lines of people waiting to get inside the Single Parents Fair when he arrived on the lot at 7 a.m. Saturday. Sponsored by Christ’s Community Church, Clark said the purpose of the Single Parents Fair was to be there for people who might need a helping hand in our tough economy, and show them the love of Christ.

“We really feel like we’re fulfilling the command in James where it says pure religion is taking care of the fatherless and the widows,” Clark said. “We want the community to know that the love of Christ compels us to do this.”

Available at the Single Parents Fair were free haircuts, clothes, oil changes, legal advice, library services and childhood immunizations.

“Dr. Greg Hudson is here with Shawnee State University’s Mobile Nursing Unit, and they’re providing kindergarten screenings, sports physicals and any other kind of physicals that take place, or any check ups that parents want,” Clark said.

There was also free bike repairs, head start registration and school supplies for kids.

The Freestore Foodbank also came down from Cincinnati with 10,000 pounds of free groceries for families to choose from. They were in town previously in March.

“Scioto County is one of the counties we find that there’s a lot of need for food for the people that’s maybe a little disadvantaged,” said Anita Wader, of Freestore Foodbank.

She the truck had lots of produce, soups and meats for families to choose from. Each family received about 50 pounds of groceries. The Foodbank was able to attend with help from the Steven A. Hunter Hope Fund — named for the late son of Mark and Virgie Hunter.

“We’re showing people the love of Christ through our actions," said Mark Hunter, from the Steven A. Hunter Hope Fund. "We're in such a hard time, as you know. People are hungry, and this is the second time we've brought the truck in. We're going to bring it again in November, hopefully. The response is overwhelming, because people are hurting. We're just trying to do what we can to help."

Mark Hunter said this was very much in keeping with the mission of the Hope Fund, to help those in need.

"That was Steven's heart. Very much," Virgie said.

Clark said the church asked participated to preregister so they would know how many to plan for, but he cautioned that it wouldn't guarantee they could get everything when they showed up on Saturday.

"Even though you called and gave us that information, you're going to get your oil changed; you will get your dental care, if that's what you registered for. But everything else is first come first serve. So the first 200 people that show up, they actually get the vouchers if they want the vouchers. Some of them didn't want them. Some of them just came for school supplies." Clark said.

Clark thanked all of the volunteers, donors and supporters of this year's Single Parents Fair. He said he would like to do it twice a year.