Editor’s note: This article is written by Derrick Poe Jr., one of four participants in Flintside’s Journalism Fellowship program. Developed as part of our On the Ground initiative in Civic Park, the fellowship is designed to equip those who live and work here with the skills and an opportunity to tell the stories of Flint — the stories of their own neighborhoods and the experiences of their neighbors.

FLINT, Michigan—On September 21, Convoy of hope will help Civic Park celebrate its 100th year anniversary. Convoy of Hope is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with a passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, and disaster response. 

Earl Wayne Jones of Flint gets a haircut from Tarry Planer, a cosmetologist from Midland at the Convoy of Hope event in 2017. Jones said he couldn't remember the last time he had a haircut.Convoy of Hope first came to Flint three years ago as the community as part of a response to the water crisis, said Todd Womack, coordinator for the Convoy of Hope Flint event and a social work professor at the University of Michigan-Flint.
 
Bassett Park (located at 1300 Greenway Ave., adjacent to Haskell Community Center) will be filled with a variety of community resources and fun activities to keep the kids busy for the event from noon to 3 p.m. Gates open at 10 a.m.

Free groceries, health and dental screenings, haircuts, family portraits, job resources, veteran services, shoes, a kids’ zone and much more will be available. All are welcome and no identification is required. 

“Convoy of hope has worked with Flint Central Church of the Nazarene and Joy Tabernacle Church to help the flint community in the response to the water crisis,” Womack said. “In general, Convoy of Hope wants the churches in the Flint community come together to create a movement of hope and faith as Flint moves forward from dealing with the water crisis.”

Plus, it’s a fun, family-friendly event. 

Volunteers also are needed to help. Flint Central Church of the Nazarene, 1261 W. Bristol Road, will hold a volunteer rally 7 p.m. Sept. 20. This a chance for anyone who wants to help be a part of the event to find out more information. 

Convoy of Hope’s goal is to bring help and hope to communities that are impoverished, hungry and hurting, according to its website. Founded in 1994, Convoy of Hope has been helping communities all over the world with the help of churches, businesses, government agencies, and other nonprofits. It is based in Springfield, Missouri.

For more information, visit convoyofhope.org/outreach/flint/.