[caption id="attachment_5261" align="alignright" width="500" caption="Ida Bennett, a volunteer at the May 12 event, said she's lived in the community for 56 years. “I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen in South Dallas,” Bennett said. “It’s an overlooked area of town. So with Convoy of Hope and everybody that’s here, this is a blessing for this community.”"][/caption]

DALLAS--Buckner partnered with Convoy of Hope at a community outreach event last Saturday in South Dallas. The event is the first stop on Convoy of Hope’s two-year, 50-state Compassion Outreach Tour.

Guests received free groceries, medical screenings, job search assistance and much more. Buckner provided more than 2,300 pairs of new shoes for adults, youth and children through Shoes for Orphan Souls, its largest humanitarian aid program.

“An event like this will always be a success in our eyes, because new shoes and other services ultimately provide an opportunity to share God’s love,” said Matt Asato, director of international humanitarian aid for Buckner.

The kickoff event started at 10 a.m. at Fair Park, with people streaming in from the surrounding neighborhoods and from across the Metroplex to attend as guests and to volunteer. The shoe distribution tent was busy all morning with individuals and families waiting to be fitted with shoes and to receive prayer.

Shoe distribution volunteer Ida Bennett said that in her 56 years of living in the neighborhood around Fair Park, she had never seen or heard of an event like the Compassion Outreach.

“I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen in South Dallas,” Bennett said. “It’s an overlooked area of town. So with Convoy of Hope and everybody that’s here, this is a blessing for this community.”

Bennett said she was enjoying the opportunity to encourage people and spread hope.

“This morning, I asked God to give me the words I needed to talk to the people, and it’s just come naturally,” she said.

Bill Whitworth, director of procurement for Convoy of Hope, said he was happy with the turnout, the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the sense of hope attendees were coming away with.

“The shoe distribution tent is a popular area,” Whitworth said. “So obviously we’re thankful for Buckner and all that you’ve done to make this possible, because as you walk around and observe what’s going on – the human contact and the fact that they get these really cool-looking new shoes – people are excited.”