Convoy of Hope Provides Resources to Unhoused Through Rural Initiatives’
Community Care Team
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for those the world looks over, restoring dignity every day through their commitment to others. Through the Rural Initiatives’ Community Care team, Convoy of Hope gets to resource local heroes so they can meet needs in their communities — and has been able to serve 1.9 million Guests of Honor this way since 2013.
Restoring Dignity in Community
From food pantries to warming shelters to advocacy offices, there will always be helpers providing care for people trying to make it from one stage of life to another — those who need a place to call home.
House of Hope, a warming center serving the Branson area, started by three volunteers who chose to meet a need in a vulnerable situation: it was 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions meant there were not enough warming centers for unsheltered people. Two thrift stores came together and transformed their space into a home.
Today, guests walk in to encouraging signs on the walls — one reads “365 new days, 365 new chances.” Services director Alex Sprinkle said they prioritize creating a welcoming environment where people can come not only on the good days, but on the hard days, too.
“As soon as you walk in, it feels like walking into a neighbor’s house,” Convoy’s Jana Van Loan said.
Meals & Holiday Magic
House of Hope has become a registered nonprofit, serving Wednesday night meals during colder months and breakfast every day, offering showers and facilities, and providing cold and warm weather care. Guests can stock up on nonperishable food items provided by Convoy before starting their day.
House of Hope also hosts events for families. In 2023, they created a Christmas pop-up shop, which was filled with toys provided by Convoy’s generous partners. They were able to give more than 500 new toys to families in the community for the holidays. Some of the kids had never received new toys before.
Providing Help in the Ozarks
In Springfield, Convoy has worked with the O’Reilly Center for Hope (also called Community Action Resources of the Ozarks, or One Door) to resource the many services they provide. Made to be a one-stop shop for basic needs, they provide food stamps, medical and emotional support, facilities, post office boxes, and specialists who can walk people through applications.
There are highs and lows in helping folks get back on their feet, but each win is worth celebrating.
For Lutheran Family and Children Services in Missouri — which Convoy supplies with hygiene items and food every other month — even basic essentials help people in huge ways. One employee recalls giving a man new socks, to which he joyfully responded by taking off his shoes to show how much he needed those new socks.
Today and every day, Convoy celebrates volunteers serving the unhoused and under-resourced, meeting people compassionately where they are. Convoy of Hope is proud to be a small part of their community’s transformation. Click here to learn more about Rural Initiatives’ Community Care team.
