On August 12, Convoy of Hope hosted a Community Event in Chicago. The event took place in Marquette Park, where more than 7,000 Guests of Honor received backpacks, kids shoes, groceries, community services, health screenings, and more.
In one corner of the park, photographers offered free portraits for individuals and families alike. Parents and their kids smiled into the camera, some of them receiving a family photo for the first time. Next to the portraits, a large tent filled with hairdressers provided free haircuts.
Just in time for the back-to-school season, kids received free shoes and backpacks, leaving everyone in the park smiling from ear to ear and ready for the new school year.
“I’m glad I got new shoes since mine are falling apart,” said a child on her way out of the event with her mom. This is a reality for many kids in the Chicago area, making the shoe area a hotspot of the event.
The event included more than 1,000 volunteers offering their services in various areas. Convoy of Hope’s partner Plum Organics donated thousands of smoothies. Hormel Foods brought their peanut mobile and Mr. Peanut.
“The Chicago Community Event was a great example of a community coming together to truly serve one another, and the smiles on our guests’ faces reflected the hope they were experiencing,” said Convoy of Hope’s Ron Showers.
The needs in neighborhoods all over the country are real. But so are the solutions. With the help of local partnerships and loyal volunteers, Convoy of Hope Community Events are bringing communities together and delivering hope to every guest Convoy serves.
