2013 Convoy of Hope provided donations, help and family fun

More than 3,500 Kansas City residents are enjoying generous donations of clothing, shoes, food and even haircuts after attending the fourth annual Convoy of Hope event at Swope Park on Saturday, June 8.

The Green Impact Zone hosted two large tents at the event — one for information about community resources, including child care, housing and mental health; and a job fair tent where volunteers helped 124 residents create resumes and submit online applications for employment.

Nearly 2,000 volunteers from dozens of churches, hospitals and schools handed out information and care packages to help low-income families with basic necessities including meals, health screenings and family portraits.

Convoy of Hope organizers estimate 457 people received haircuts, 500 pairs of shoes were distributed, 532 went through the women's health tent, and everyone received a free bag of groceries when they left the event. Many recipients were so over-burdened with armfuls of donations that volunteers were standing by to help them to their cars.

Kaneisha Hatch, 28, of Kansas City had her hands full with three children as she left with several bags of groceries. Hatch said she visited every tent and took advantage of all that was offered. "The best part was the haircut for my son," she said.

Hatch planned to return for a second go-round so her children could come back to the park and play. The play area offered face painting, balloon animals, horseback riding and games to hundreds of kids.

Volunteer Lee Shepard Sr. from Macedonia Baptist Church of Kansas City, Mo., greeted guests with a smile as they left the event. "It's rewarding to see people getting what they need," he said. This was Shepard's third year to volunteer at the event.

Convoy of Hope is a faith-based, nonprofit organization founded in 1994 that gathers volunteers to respond to disasters and deliver food and supplies to the those in need in the U.S. and abroad.

2013 Recap

Thousands of area residents attended the 4th annual Convoy of Hope event on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Swope Park. Hundreds of volunteers handed out free clothing and food, conducted health screenings, gave haircuts and provided information about job opportunities. Below are the numbers to prove it!


2012 Recap