Fresno – It's not just on the Valley's west side where families are lining up to receive free food.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger greeted those at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno, waiting to get a free Thanksgiving meal.

"This is great, the kids are full of joy, the men and women all know tomorrow there will be a day of eating and they will not be left out," said Gov. Schwarzenegger.

Parents and grandparents brought their kids and grandchildren to meet the governor, and they left, with full carts and happy hearts.

"We don't have anything in the house, at the end of the month, the food's all gone. We wouldn't have had a turkey," said Cookie Moreno, who waited in line for food.

With her grandchildren surrounding her, the Fresno resident says she's grateful that she won't disappoint her family during these tough times.

Catholic Charities says many people receiving meals this year didn't have to stand in the food line, last year.

"The need has tremendously increased from last year, we've had a 200% increase and 20% of the families that come every month, are new," said Catholic Charities executive director, Catherine Manfredo.

She says today's giveaway came together within the past few days.

After a public appeal because of the lack of donations... a surge of gifts.

"We've been to the bottom of the barrel and thought how are we going to do this? And miraculously a response the next day," said Manfredo.

Before stopping in Fresno, the governor also handed out Thanksgiving turkeys at a youth center in Los Angeles.