FROM THE PRESIDENT:
TOGETHER, LET’S MOVE FORWARD
So many people are trying to leave 2020 behind, and I can’t say I blame them. It’s been a year of unexpected tragedy and incredible challenge. But as we move forward, let’s not leave behind the lessons we’ve learned during this season.
I’ve learned, for instance, that people will always find a way to band together and help one another during times of great difficulty. I’ve seen this in the way volunteers have shown up to help out their neighbors and through friends and partners who have given sacrificially to make a difference for people they may never meet.
This past year, I’ve also seen the importance of leaning in when logic and self-preservation tell you to retreat.
We began the “10 Million Meals” initiative because we knew we had to do something; we set a lofty goal and got to work, responding and getting ready for the responses around the corner. Before we knew it, 10 million became 50 million, and 50 million became 200 million. As we stepped out in faith, partners like you stepped up and made this record-setting response possible.
I will never forget the generosity and resiliency of the human spirit displayed during 2020. As we move into this new year, preparing for what’s next, let’s not forget all that we can accomplish when we work together.
CONVOY OF HOPE RATED AMONG TOP US CHARITIES
Convoy of Hope has been included on Forbes’ 2020 list of “America’s Top Charities” and Good Housekeeping’s “The 50 Best Charities to Give to Right Now” list.
In 2019, Convoy of Hope ranked 82nd on this list. Since then, we have increased our standing to 75th out of more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered in the United States. Forbes assesses nonprofit organizations based on charitable commitment and fundraising efficiency, among other qualitative factors. Convoy of Hope received high marks in both categories.
Good Housekeeping recognized Convoy of Hope for our fight against the pandemic.
NFL PLAYERS DISTRIBUTE RELIEF BEFORE SUPER BOWL LV
Convoy of Hope held a distribution event at Tropicana Field the day before Super Bowl LV. The event received support from several NFL familiars, such as former New York Jets player Earl Christy, former Buccaneers player Michael Clayton, and Buccaneers punter Bradley Pinion’s wife, Kaeleigh, all of whom stepped in to volunteer.
“This weekend is obviously a big weekend for me and my family, with my husband playing in the Super Bowl tomorrow,” Kaeleigh said. “But this has just been a really cool opportunity for me to bring some of my friends out here to partner with Convoy of Hope and to give back and really kind of flip the script about what’s important during Super Bowl weekend.”
Convoy of Hope provided more than 3,400 bags of groceries, 1,000 pairs of kids shoes, and 2,000 pairs of socks. The event was made possible by Convoy Nation, a group that allows individuals in the entertainment, entrepreneurial, and sports worlds to bring kindness and help to those in need.
200 MILLION MEALS DISTRIBUTED IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
We are pleased to announce that Convoy of Hope has distributed more than 200 million meals in response to COVID-19. We couldn’t have made it this far without the kindness and coordination of our supporters, partners, volunteers, and staff.
“On behalf of the children and families who have received help and seen their hope restored — thank you,” said Hal Donaldson, President of Convoy of Hope. “We’ve seen firsthand how every meal is offering real help.”
Convoy of Hope is filled with gratitude for the help and support we’ve received along the way. This milestone is an important one, and we couldn’t have reached it without your partnership.
NEW CHAIR NAMED TO CONVOY OF HOPE FOUNDATION
Andrew Covington is the new chair of the Convoy of Hope Foundation. He currently serves as Chief of Staff for The Dufresne Spencer Group (Ashley Furniture).
Prior to his time at Ashley Furniture, Andrew’s career highlights include successful stints in the pharmaceutical, commercial real estate, television, and radio industries. Andrew and his wife, Tammy, have been Convoy of Hope volunteers, generous supporters, and advocates since 2011.
CONVOY OF HOPE AUSTRALIA HAS REMARKABLE FIRST YEAR
In its first full year of operation, Convoy of Hope Australia has responded to some of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history. Record-setting bushfires tore through the South Coast early in 2020. And, like the rest of the world, the country addressed all of these issues while contending with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joel A’Bell, Convoy of Hope’s Regional Leader in Oceania, said, “The word often used to describe 2020 is unprecedented. Mostly because the whole world has been tragically affected at the same time. Perhaps it could also be used to describe the possibilities — of coming together, working together, and seeing hope multiplied.”
After the wildfires, Convoy of Hope Australia identified a need for restoring people’s gardens and community recreation spaces. The Australia team partnered with some 450 students across 38 local schools to grow 11,500 plants. With additional help from more than 50 churches and partners, we served 1,000+ households in 11 communities.
Convoy of Hope Australia also served a strategic role in 2020 as we responded to disasters in the region.
RESPONDING & READY
More than 200 million meals provided at points of distribution
Nedra was unemployed and homeless when she arrived at Convoy of Hope’s point of distribution (POD) in Roswell, Georgia, at the height of 2020’s pandemic. That day, she received food and other necessities to help her get back on her feet. She later volunteered at another POD event, joyfully telling the team she had been hired at two jobs and had found a place to live.
For Nedra, Convoy of Hope’s timely help put her back on the right track. “It was a real turning point in my life,” she said.
Andrea and Tom came to a POD in Evansville, Indiana.
“We’re on Social Security,” Andrea told a volunteer.
“So we pay our bills and try to make ends meet, but we struggle two and a half to three weeks each month.” They gratefully accepted several bags of groceries and other necessities.
For many like Nedra and Andrea, PODs represent hope.
“The point of distribution model has long been used in disaster response,” says Stacy Lamb, Convoy of Hope’s Senior Director of U.S. Disaster Services. “We helped train churches, businesses, and other community groups to use that approach when the pandemic made more traditional community gatherings impossible. The response was remarkable.”
In the spring of 2020, Convoy of Hope announced a goal of distributing 10 million meals across the U.S. in response to COVID-19. The drive-through or walk-through approach was central to the project. Thanks to visionary donors, more than 200 million meals have now been given to people in need nationally and around the world. Convoy of Hope’s pandemic response was in addition to its continuing Children's Feeding initiative in 17 countries.
“It feels horrible to have a hole inside your belly and not be able to fill it,” Daniel, 14, a child engaged in our Children’s Feeding program, told a Convoy of Hope team member through an interpreter.
Daniel’s community in Guatemala was hard hit by COVID-19. Both his parents lost their jobs and numbers of friends and relatives succumbed to the coronavirus. “Sometimes, because we had almost no money, we hardly ate,” he said. “Thank God, we had a full meal, thanks to you at Convoy of Hope.”
“When the pandemic closed down schools, a school-based feeding program with more than 387,000 children worldwide could have come to a halt,” says Heath Adamson, Convoy of Hope’s Vice President of Global Program. “But, country after country, the Convoy of Hope team did whatever was necessary to feed the children and provide emergency supplies to thousands of families impacted by COVID-19. We have never stopped. The work is ongoing.”
More than 387,000 children receive nutritious meals every school day. Convoy of Hope is looking ahead with the goal of feeding 1 million children by 2030. That goal will be reached one child at a time, even as PODs across the U.S. and internationally reach one honored guest at a time.
LEARN ABOUT CONVOY
Disaster Services
Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team is consistently among the first to respond to disasters at home and around the world. Highly regarded for our scalable response and distribution model, we utilize our eight international warehouses, four domestic warehouses, a specialized disaster response fleet, and a highly trained team of staff and volunteers to respond to disasters quickly and effectively.
Children’s Feeding
We believe children are essential members of their communities. As future leaders, they’ll have the opportunity to one day bring positive change to their countries by breaking the cycles of poverty and hunger. We use regular meals in schools and access to clean drinking water as starting points to build and support thriving communities.
Agriculture
Food security transforms communities by lifting people out of dependence on others for their daily sustenance. Through this program, we equip vulnerable farmers and their families with the skills, tools, and seeds to produce life-sustaining crops. Local farmers harvest many meals each year for our Children's Feeding program, which simultaneously generates income for them.
Rural Compassion Initiative
Poverty and hunger have gained a devastating edge in America’s rural communities. Through this initiative, we resource, empower, and partner with rural churches through training, mentoring, and coaching. We believe their increased presence and partnership with local leaders help strengthen and enrich their communities.
Women’s Empowerment
When women are given the opportunity to generate income, it impacts the economic standing of their families and communities. We partner with women to help develop sustainable resources which they can leverage to make more strategic, independent life choices.
Community Events
Communities are the heart of counties, states, and nations. Convoy of Hope is committed to working with local volunteers, businesses, agencies, churches, and organizations who believe in building stronger communities through generosity and kindness. At our Community Events, we partner with such entities to provide free groceries, health and dental screenings, haircuts, family portraits, veterans services, hot meals, career service training, and much more to those who may not have the means to access these resources themselves.
PARTNERSHIP MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Without the support of our incredible partners, Convoy of Hope would cease to exist. We’re humbled every year by the generosity of those who stand with us, and last year was no exception. We’d like to thank all of our partners for their commitment to alleviating poverty and supplying hope to the world.
PROGRESS!
Since its inception in 1994, Convoy of Hope has been asking the same question: “How do we help more people?” In other words, “How do we multiply hope?” That question led us to one conclusion — it was time to expand our capacity.
Our present World Distribution Center, based in Springfield, Missouri, was purchased by a local corporation in 2020. That opened the door for Convoy of Hope to build a new facility that will more than triple our capacity.
The new facility’s 250,000 square feet will create needed space for Convoy of Hope to feed more children around the world, provide more emergency supplies in times of disaster, and use state-of-the-art technology to train volunteers.
Located at the convergence of two highways, the new facility will open in 2021.
Credits:
All photos ©Convoy of Hope