Members of the community assembled disaster relief bags for the organization Convoy of Hope at Converge Church in Moorestown on March 5.
“As a church, we have something that we call our ‘go initiative,’ where we go and do something for others,” said Kitty Bowen, children’s ministry director for the church.
Convoy of Hope was founded in 1994 by Hal Donaldson, whose family was helped by many people after his father was killed by a drunk driver in 1969. That drew his inspiration for starting the organization.
Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 200 million people and has distributed more than $2 billion in food and supplies. In 2022, it held 95 community distribution events. The organization has also served more than 3,800 communities in 37 countries and, since 1996, assisted in more than 625 disasters and crises worldwide.
As a faith-based organization, Convoy of Hope’s goal is to serve people who are impoverished, hungry and hurting. Its core values include love, dignity, partnership, hope and service.
“We try to do a couple of our ‘go initiatives’ during the year, where we’re meeting some needs of the community or elsewhere through the world or through our country,” Bowen explained.
Like that initiative, the church also supports Operation Christmas Child, sponsored through Samaritan’s Purse, a Christain relief organization. Boxes include toys, school supplies and personal-care items and are sent to children in need around the world.
“People want to help,” Bowen noted, “and so when there is a need, they do step up. They want to help with food and clothing and basic needs.”
The church will host its annual Easter Jam celebration from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 12, rain or shine. There will be a free breakfast, games, prizes, craft time, an Easter story, an interactive presentation, an egg hunt and plenty of candy.
For more information on the church’s upcoming events, visit www.myconvergechurch.com or its Facebook page.
