Clinic hands out free candy to hundreds in Bakersfield

Families in southwest Bakersfield skipped the holiday lines Sunday as they gathered for a free Trunk-or-Treat event hosted by Clinica Sierra Vista. The crowd was so large that the line of visitors wound around the clinic's parking lot well before Halloween.

Grandmother Jamie Lujan said the event saved her family money by removing the cost of attendance. "It's most definitely a help out when you get to bring the whole family and not worry about what the amount is or if we're going to be able to stay or if they're gonna want something that we can't get them," Lujan said. She noted that the free access made a real difference for her household.

Volunteers filled decorated car trunks with candy for the arriving crowd. Children and adults wore creative costumes as they moved through the parking lot. The event provided seasonal cheer without any financial burden for the attendees.

Community organizations used the gathering to link residents with local aid. Hannah Weightman of Community Action Partnership of Kern decorated her trunk with a Hocus Pocus theme. She said the event allowed her to talk directly with neighbors about available help. "I love being able to communicate with the community and show them that what services we have available because a lot of people they don't know what services are available to them," Weightman said.

Clinica Sierra Vista is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. CEO Dr. Olga Meave said the clinic organized the event to give back during a period of financial strain for many households. "I think you know the situation is not easy for anybody so when we have an opportunity to provide something free for the community. We take it," Meave said.