Lancaster’s Convoy of Hope expects to help thousands

by Bill Conrad of Lancaster TODAY

Thousands of people will descend on Lancaster Oct. 4 as part of the Convoy of Hope at Cedar Valley College.

The community outreach event features a job fair, free health screenings and haircuts. Free groceries will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. There also will be children's activities and entertainment.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Dallas County residents to unite and do something positive to combat the growing problems plaguing our community,” said Nelson Johnson, pastor of Lancaster's Harmony Tabernacle Church and 2008 Dallas/Lancaster Convoy of Hope director. “All guests at the outreach will be greeted with open arms and will be given nourishment for both their body and soul. These people are our honored guests and we will do everything we can to make a difference in their lives.”

More than 1,000 volunteers from the Lancaster Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the surrounding area are working to put on the event, which will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.

The official Convoy of Hope website says, “The U.S. Outreach department at Convoy of Hope plans over 50 outreaches each year in communities across the country. An outreach is a one-day special community event designed to meet both human and spiritual needs of impoverished families.”

Convoy of Hope was founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization that sponsors community outreach events and provides disaster assistance around the world. Its website says the organization has served nearly 23 million people since its formation.

Convoy of Hope is being held at the soccer fields at Cedar Valley College, located at the intersection of Wintergreen and Pleasant Run roads. For more information, call 972-293-4440.