About 70 local churches will work together to present a large community outreach event in southwest Fresno next weekend, distributing about 160,000 pounds of groceries to the needy and offering other services.
The Convoy of Hope event is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. next Saturday on the east field at Computech Middle School, 555 E. Belgravia Ave.Convoy of Hope is a nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Mo., that rallies churches, faith-based organizations and nonprofits to work together to help the poor. Outreaches in about 50 U.S. cities were scheduled this year.The Fresno event will feature the distribution of 80,000 pounds of packaged food and 80,000 pounds of fresh produce from Community Food Bank. Clothing, haircuts, health screenings and a job fair also will be available. A kids’ zone carnival, entertainment and barbecue hot dogs will be provided.The event will enlist more than 1,500 volunteers, mainly members of Fresno and Clovis congregations. Event organizers expect 7,000 to 10,000 people in need from around the Valley will benefit from the food and other services, making it one of the largest Convoy of Hope outreaches this year.An event coordinator, Shane Ham, says it is important that churches and other organizations combine their efforts to address people’s physical and spiritual needs. The event also will include a prayer tent.“The sheer need in the area says we want to do more,” says Ham, an associate pastor at NorthPointe Community Church in northwest Fresno. “We also want to inspire people to ministry.”Those in need are encouraged to take free shuttle rides from Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno to the event’s site.Anyone interested in volunteering must attend a kick-off rally for volunteers at 7 p.m. Friday at Fresno Pacific University’s Special Events Center, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave.Details: (559) 274-8427.