WASHINGTON — The Convoy of Hope rolled into Alexandria, Va., on Sept. 21 with 35,000 pounds of groceries to assist nearly 2,500 disadvantaged residents in a single day. A fleet of trucks arrived In Washington, with nearly $1 million in goods and services for the Columbia Heights community, while that day tents were being erected at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown, Md.
These preparations were made as thousands of volunteers from local churches, businesses and community groups were being mobilized for a Day of Hope for those experiencing hardship in these Mid-Atlantic cities on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Volunteers from Downtown Baptist Church distribute bags of groceries to guests. (Photo/Christina Taylor)
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Since 1994 Convoy of Hope, a faith-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Springfield, Mo., has served more than 1.6 million “honored guests” at community outreach events in more than 200 U.S. cities. While each outreach is tailored to the needs of the community, a Day of Hope brings residents free groceries, community and job services, health screenings, a meal, children’s games and activities, prayer and more, said organizers.
“It was my first time at a COH outreach event,” said Megan Stuart, a member at Downtown Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va. “I saw an email that volunteers were needed for a prayer tent and I feel God has gifted me with praying for others.”
The Cora Kelly Recreation Center was the site of the outreach event in Alexandria.
While Stuart was assigned to the prayer tent, she also worked at the family portrait table as it was short of volunteers.
“People were so grateful for photos of their families or just of themselves,” she said. “I realized that it could be the only opportunity they would have to receive a physical picture of their own.”
A child attending the Day of Hope in Alexandria, Va., holds books received in the children’s area. (Photo/Christina Taylor)
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Convoy of Hope partners with local faith communities, not only for volunteers but to enable spiritual ministry to guests to be extended beyond one day.
The District Church in Washington, D.C., served as a connections church for the event. Blythe Scott, outreach and city partnerships leader, was involved in some planning for the day, but the church’s primary role was being a connections church, said Aaron Graham, pastor of the church which is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
The District was among other churches listed on a flyer given to guests desiring to make a connection with a local congregation. The Washington event was held at the Columbia Heights Community Center.
“I teach children who live in poverty and I look for opportunities to serve that population outside of school,” said Christina Taylor, another member of Downtown Baptist Church. The Convoy of Hope was the perfect opportunity, she said.
Taylor, her husband, two children and a friend arrived at the recreation center at 6:30 a.m. and were involved in setting up areas. She said she served as a photographer, while her husband and son handed out groceries and her friend and daughter worked in the Kid Zone.
“I watched people come in the gate and they were greeted with a ‘good morning’ or ‘buenos dias,’” said Taylor. “The volunteers showed respect to the guests and families came together and were grateful for the love shown to them.”
Many asked for prayer and allowed volunteers to pray for their needs, she said. “People were so appreciative of the volunteers for giving up a gorgeous Saturday to serve them. I was amazed at how the Convoy of Hope blessed these families,” Taylor said.
The Convoy of Hope is on a 50-state community outreach tour. According to its website, more than 50,000 volunteers and 3,500 churches and organizations will be involved in outreach events in these 50 states.
Barbara Francis ([email protected]) is on the staff of the Religious Herald.