10,000 Get Help at Convoy of Hope Event at Marquette Park
Johnny Byrd struggles to make ends meet as a single parent of two young children.
On Saturday, the Englewood resident got some help along with more than 10,000 others who received free groceries, haircuts and other assistance at the Convoy of Hope organization’s gathering at Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave., in Chicago.
“I saved on a lot of stuff today,” said Byrd, a small retail store manager whose wife died a couple of years ago. “I saved at least $140. I can put that money on a bill.”
The Convoy of Hope, an international organization based in Springfield, Mo., helps people across the country and globe, notably for relief efforts.
The organization, which was founded in 1994, recently partnered with another group to help provide more than three million meals to hard-hit areas of Liberia and Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola outbreak.
In the U.S., dozens of cities each year are served with similar services that Chicago received.
Even though Chicago received assistance from Convoy of Hope several years ago, this was the first time the organization provided the city with large scale assistance.
The Englewood area was selected because many of its residents struggle to make ends meet. The neighborhood has a median income of less than $12,000, officials said.
“We have been trying to put an emphasis on major cities,” said Jeff Nene, a national spokesman for the group.
“We want to bring together the best cities have to offer . . .and help with needs.”
About $80,000 was raised locally from more than 50 churches and other groups.
Nationally, the Convoy of Hope contributed more than $100,000 to help with the local effort.
More than 1,500 people volunteered at the event at Marquette Park.
“The Convoy of Hope event is just the beginning of a long-lasting movement that has the power to transform people’s lives, inspire compassion and service, and bring people and organizations together like never before,” said Nick Rich of Have Hope Chicago.
Aside from haircuts and free groceries, area residents received hot lunches, school supplies, flu shots, blood pressure screenings, family portraits and shoes for women and children.
There also was a tent where ministers provided spiritual advice.
“I’m almost speechless,” said Ald. David Moore, (17th Ward) as thousands of people were in Marquette Park. “God’s hands are in this. This is a lot of people just trying to make it.”
Nathan Jones, 25, attended the event with his wife, four children and three young cousins.
“We are ready to get help with school supplies,” said Jones, of Englewood. “We are here to get what we can to help us out.”
Terrie Hodges, of Englewood, said she appreciated the help.
“I think this is great for the community and this puts some groceries in my house,” said Hodges, 28, who attended the event with her son, Pharaoh, 5.
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