Festival Of Hope Brings Free Stuff

It's rare a non-sporting event can draw this big of a crowd to Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

“It's something new and great people from all over the city get to come together and witness what our city has to bring,” says attendee Jasmine Patrick. The Festival of Hope is collaboration between dozens of churches, local groups and the Missouri based Convoy of Hope.

“There's nothing quite like this in the country, we love Mobile and we're here to help,” says Joe Savage with Joe Savage Ministries. The festival offered fun and games on the field--including football drills from University of South Alabama players. Several free services were offered: family portraits, health screenings, complimentary haircuts and tons of groceries. Apart from the immediate benefit of maybe some free food or free haircut many of these families say they're benefiting through the time they spend together at the festival.

“We able to hang together and enjoy everything together all the festivities that ya'll have going on for us,” says Queenetta as she held the hand of her young son. Among the more than 8,000 attendees are more than 1,500 volunteers making sure everything runs smoothly.

“Hopefully everybody will know the more you do this the more people will feel warm about giving back to their community,” says volunteer Malcolm Johnson.