The eighth annual Convoy of Hope Wichita event will take place Saturday, but it won’t be anything like previous years.
The event – which helps kids get ready for going back to school -- typically provides haircuts, immunizations, clothing, school supplies and much more. This year, a majority of the program was cut due to COVID-19.
Stacie Cathcart, head of the event, is disappointed her organization won’t be able to have the full-scale event this year. But she is still determined to help the kids -- even if it takes weeks.
“What it used to be, it's not going to be this year,” Cathcart said. “We’re still going to do our best to provide those kinds of services, it just won’t be on a one-day event anymore. It’s going to be spread out anywhere between four and eight weeks.”
Using a drive-thru system, Convoy of Hope Wichita will distribute thousands of backpacks and groceries to families who visit one of its three locations on Saturday. In the weeks following the event, organizers hope to work toward giving kids immunizations and school physicals like usual.
The organization is also providing voter registration and will pass out snow cones to help occupy people while they are in line. To receive a backpack, the child must be present at the event.
The welcome packet attendees will receive upon arrival will include information on other charities that families can go to for help. It will also include a coupon for a haircut.
Cathcart expects 5,000 cars to attend the event between the locations at Bethel Life Center, 3310 W. MacArthur; McAdams Park, near 15th and Ohio, and Hope Church, 2000 S. Hillside.
The event begins at 9 a.m. For more information visit Convoy of Hope’s website.
Hafsa Quraishi is KMUW's inaugural Korva Coleman Diversity Intern. Hafsa is currently pursuing her master’s degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York.