Rain fell in torrents Friday night before Convoy of Hope’s Community Event in Cumberland County, Tennessee. But it couldn’t stop the more than 1,200 volunteers from serving nearly 1,800 guests on Saturday. The event, which was held at the Cumberland County Complex, brought together people in the area to serve those in need.
“The Convoy of Hope [Community Event] has been a great event for our community,” said Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster. “Neighbors helping neighbors is what we are all about, and our community partners and volunteers have proven that to be true again.”
“The number of volunteers and organizations that came together really impressed me,” said Convoy’s Ryan Bowles, who helped coordinate the event.
Event Statistics
- 1,767 Guests of Honor served
- 1,217 volunteers engaged
- 26 churches engaged
- 49 organizations engaged
- 5,000 bags of groceries distributed
- 2,500 hot lunches distributed
- 1,422 pairs of kids shoes distributed
- 7,500 pairs of socks distributed
- 1,000 Gardens in a Bag distributed
- 420 backpacks given out
- 300 family portraits taken
- 6,000 Plum Super Smoothies distributed
- 15 stylists gave 300 haircuts
- 266 people served in health services, vision checks, and fluoride
- 223 people served in career services, including employers taking applications
- 539 people served through the National Breast Cancer Foundation
- 800 people served at the community services area
- 218 people served through veterans services by 16 agencies and organizations
For one specific family, the financial impacts of COVID-19 have impacted them greatly, especially since they were new to the area. When talking with a local volunteer, this family mentioned that the event helped them in ways they didn’t think were possible. They are just one of many families who left the event feeling a little lighter.
“Guests and volunteers alike had a great day from beginning to end,” said Convoy’s Ryan Bowles. “Our local partners have been amazing and we know that they are here to help people in the future. We hope that today was just the beginning of great things to happen for Cumberland County.”
As guests made their way out of the event, they left with bags of groceries and smiles.
To read more about Convoy of Hope’s Community Events, click here.
