Over one thousand people were supported and prepped for the upcoming school year at Hope Encounter 2026. Thanks to the support of Convoy of Hope and other generous partners, we were able to support families across Central New York as we enter the busy back to school season. Backpacks, shoes, groceries, school supplies, meals, and haircuts were provided in addition to endless fun and memories.
For yet another year, we have been blessed with the capability to put on an event where our community members, neighbors, and our church family can connect. Despite the rainy weather, kids found fun in the bounce houses when they weren’t busy eating snowcones or getting their faces painted. Our local fire and police departments shared meaningful interactions with families and gave kids the chance to explore and even climb aboard the fire truck. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore different local service providers and community resources.
We were blown away by the 400 volunteers who showed up to support our 1,580 guests and Hope Encounter’s mission. Our volunteer team worked hard cooking meals, sorting and distributing donations, handing out 700 backpacks and 600 pairs of shoes, serving ice-cold snow cones, keeping games safe, offering fresh haircuts, and supporting in countless other ways. None of this would be possible without the time and energy of so many people.
The effort poured into Hope Encounter by our church and community members cannot be overstated. A day centered on giving can only occur when so many are prepared to devote their time and care for those who may be in need. We greatly appreciate the enthusiasm by our volunteers and passion from our community partners that could be felt by all who attended.
Northside exists to bring people to Jesus and learn to follow Him together. On this day, that mission came to life in the clearest way. Families were cared for. New relationships began. Lives in the Syracuse area were impacted, and the ripple effect will continue to grow long after the tents come down.
If you were part of Hope Encounter this year, thank you for making it so special. If you missed it and want to learn more about how to serve, give, or stay connected with family-focused events and community outreach efforts near Syracuse, we’d love to help you take your next step.
