"Well I need some dental work because I can't afford it, because I don't have a job," said Sonya Middleton.
Middleton was just one of the 3,000 people expected at the Care 4 a Healthy Inland Empire fair over the weekend. Some even began lining up as early as 5 a.m. Friday.
The fair gives uninsured residents in the Inland Empire a chance to see nurses, doctors and dentists on-site and free of cost. It even offers eastern medicines like acupuncture.
The San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been especially hard-hit by foreclosure and unemployment since the economy tanked. It was a need that Molina Health recognized and sought to fill with the health fair.
"The needs are great in this community, and word spreads pretty quickly when there's a possibility of getting free healthcare and dental services," said Richard Chambers with Molina Healthcare.
The fair will run from June 22 to 24 at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino.
