By Rita Howell
After months of preparation by local volunteers, the Convoy of Hope rolled into Batesville last Saturday, bringing 3,500 pounds of groceries for distribution at the Batesville Civic Center.
A local team had worked with the Missouri-based Christian ministry since last summer to organize and raise funds for the day-long event which offered free health screenings, children’s activities, information and help from 35 community organizations, haircuts, family portraits, shoes, lunch, and small group prayer, in addition to bags of groceries.
A total of 1,218 guests came through the Civic Center doors.
Serving throughout the day were 558 volunteers who wore navy t-shirts emblazoned with “Convoy Community Crew.”
Thirty-two churches were represented.
In the photo studio, 180 families sat for free portraits. The on-site printer proved to be slower than anticipated with output, so a number of families did not receive their pictures that day. Instead, those photos may be picked up at The Panolian office any day this week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A dozen licensed hair stylists and barbers operated a hair salon where 120 people of all ages received free haircuts.
Convoy of Hope partners with the National Breast Cancer Foundation in offering breast health resources. Nearly 500 women came through the “pink” area to receive books and information from trained volunteers.
There were 1,776  sack lunches served, with hot dogs, chips and drinks.
Piles of brand new shoes in all sizes were given away. The most sought-after ones were ladies’ glittery pink flats.
Throughout the day the Kids Zone offered opportunities for bouncing and sliding on inflatables, petting rabbits, chickens, goats and a pony in a petting zoo, playing basketball and other games, and having your face painted.
In another section of the civic center, small groups of volunteers and guests met in prayer.
The impact of the free goods and services for area families was apparent in the “thank yous” heard throughout the day.
“This has helped me so much,” one mother said after sitting for a portrait with her family. She was on her way to pick up her bags of groceries.
In a phone message left Saturday at The Panolian, a Pope woman gave her enthusiastic report of receiving a new pair of shoes.
“I got the first pair of shoes,” she said. “They feel so good.”
To wind up the event, special revival services were held at the civic center Saturday and Sunday nights, with Dr. Bob Smith, professor at Samford University, as the speaker.
Dr. David Ball, the Batesville physician who spearheaded the event, and the first visit by Convoy of Hope in 2011, expressed appreciation to all who helped.
“Local people made it happen,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who volunteered.”