BANGOR, Maine — Half a dozen local churches, along with the city, will offer free groceries, clothing, winter coats and services, including haircuts, manicures, information on resume writing and job hunting, live music and health and dental screenings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion.
The program will include a Kid’s Zone with bounce houses, games and other activities. Local businesses also will participate.
It is one of a dozen Day of Hope events to be held in the Northeast in conjunction with Convoy of Hope, an international charity based in Springfield, Missouri. That organization will provided $26,000 worth of nonperishable food to be distributed on the Bangor Waterfront.
The local event is being coordinated by Pastor Bobby Bledsoe of City Reach Bangor, located at 300 Stillwater Ave. It is a new ministry planted in April.
“The whole premise of this day is to bring hope to the city of Bangor,” Bledsoe said Thursday. “Even if it’s just for one day, we want people to feel good about themselves. If they feel good about themselves, they may take a step in the right direction.”
The minister said church leaders had reached out to members of the community by distributing 6,000 fliers to schoolchildren in Bangor, Hermon and Hampden. Bledsoe said they were hoping for a big turnout.
Beldsoe said that he had hoped a photographer would be on site to provide free family portraits, but as of Thursday, no one had volunteered.
Participating churches include The Rock Church, Word of Life Christian Center, All Souls Congregational Church, First Assembly of God Church, River City Wesleyan Church, all of Bangor; and Imago Dei Anglican Church in Orono.
Ten Christian bands from the area and ZEALOUZONE, a Christian rapper from New Jersey, will perform throughout the day, Bledsoe said. Prayer also will be available upon request.
Convoy of Hope was founded in 1994 by the Donaldson family after their father was killed by a drunken driver and their community rallied to give support in 1969. Over the past two decades, more than 63 million worldwide have been served and helped by Convoy of Hope, according to information on the organization’s website. Working through churches, businesses, government agencies, and other nonprofit groups, Convoy of Hope provides help and hope to those who are impoverished, hungry, and hurting.
For information on Day of Hope Bangor, visit trcbangor.com/dayofhope or call 745-2140.