Local businesses around the Miami Valley, in partnership with a national organization, plan to give away an estimated $100,000 worth of free food and services to about 10,000 families next week.

Convoy of Hope, a Missouri-based organization, which aims to give hope to those in need, will be partnering with Christian Life Church and local businesses to fulfill both the phsyical and spiritual needs of the community, according to Greg Bueno, spokesperson for Convoy of Hope, who also attends Christian Life Center.

“We are very excited about the event because we have received tremendous support from the community,” said Timothy Downs, director of economic development for the City of Dayton. “We expect to change the lives of Daytonians, so that they have a poverty free day, free of worry and stress.”

Volunteers will distribute 50,000 pounds of free groceries, provide free hair cuts by 40 barbers and hair stylist and offer 90 gallon bags of clothes for families next Saturday. A health fair, will provide free medical and dental screenings with local doctors, medical professionals and dentists. There will also be a career fair with 20 businesses with job openings. Professional resume writing and interview coaching will also be available.

For the children, the kids zone will inlcude a dozen inflatable carnival games, live entertainment, free lunch and prizes.

Christian Life Center will host the event. It will be held at Virgina McNeal Park, also called, Welcome Park, at 10 a.m. on July 28 behind the University of Dayton Arena. No ID is required.

“I understand what it is like to live in the streets because that’s how I was raised,” said Bueno, who was born in San Antonio.

Eleven inner-city churches will be featured at the event. There will also be a prayer walk.

“One of the things we hope to impart is connections with local inner-city churches,” Downs said. “Our goal is to connect people within the city to these churches so that in the long run their needs are being met.”

Convoy of Hope’s Dayton visit is part of a 50-state tour. It has served 52 million people in more than 100 countries and has contributed an estimated $299 million worth of food and services to people around the world, according to its website.

RTA will provide free transportion from Wright Stop Plaza or The Job Center. More than 1,100 volunteers will work the event, Bueno said.

Christian Life Center held a similiar event about 10 years ago called Summer in the City, but this is the first partnership in Dayton with Convoy of Hope.