Convoy of Hope plans Aug. 6 outreach

Convoy of Hope will partner with local organizations and businesses to host its fourth annual community outreach program Aug. 6 in Wichita at Bethel Life Center, 3777 S. Meridian.

Convoy of Hope, an international, faith-based nonprofit organization, serves hundreds of cities across the U.S. Last year, its community events served more than 82,000 people across the country, according to a news release.

At the event, volunteers will provide a variety of free services – including health screenings, haircuts and immunizations – to those in need.

“I like to call it our ‘one-stop shop’ where you can come to get your kids ready for school,” said Stacie Cathcart, director of the Wichita event.

As part of the back-to-school preparations, Convoy of Hope will supply 3,000 backpacks full of school supplies. Last year, organizers ran out of the 1,500 backpacks they had prepared for the event after the first hour, so they made a point of doubling the number of backpacks this year, Cathcart said.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation will offer free screenings at the event, and food company Plum Organics will distribute organic food for babies, toddlers and school-aged children.

The event will also have enough groceries to distribute to an expected 10,000 guests. Last year’s Convoy of Hope event drew 8,407 people.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10 am., but Cathcart said organizers will try to have some of the lines open earlier so people aren’t waiting in the heat for hours. People began lining up for last year’s event before dawn, prompting organizers to open it two hours early.

This year’s event will have more of a focus on job opportunities and training, with representatives from Kwik Shop and other businesses available for on-site interviews, as well as representatives from area technical colleges, Cathcart said.

“Our goal is to be able to provide something for everyone – whatever (attendees) need, to be able to provide that,” she said.

This story was originally published July 24, 2016 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Convoy of Hope plans Aug. 6 outreach."