MENASHA —The J. J. Keller Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Convoy of Hope Fox Cities 2011 to assist with this year's community outreach effort.

The grant was announced Wednesday at the first planning session for Convoy at Christ the Rock Community Church. This year's event seeks to serve 5,000 people.

Convoy of Hope 2011 will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at Fox Valley Technical College in Grand Chute. Last year's inaugural effort at Maplewood Middle School in Menasha was the largest one-day outreach ever held in the Fox Cities, organizers said. It featured more than 1,000 volunteers and served 4,457 guests.

"Convoy of Hope dovetails nicely into the Keller family foundation's mission of serving disadvantaged individuals," said Mary Harp-Jirschele, executive director of the J. J. Keller Foundation.

"We watched with interest last year as our funding provided medical and dental services, groceries and the like for more than 4,500 people in need. We were happy to help again this year, especially with the move to Fox Valley Tech — we partner with them on many projects, and we feel this site will enhance the program's offerings greatly."

Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Miss., partnered locally last year with 70 churches — as well as businesses and government agencies, foundations and individuals — to offer outreach to those in need.

Communities are asked to contribute $9,000 to facilitate a Convoy of Hope outreach, which then is organized, staffed and funded by the sponsoring community at an additional $15,000 to $20,000.

Last year's collaborative effort offered more than 5,400 hot meals (to guests and volunteers); more than 500 haircuts; family portraits to 265 families; a job fair; thousands of free diapers; child care information; medical and dental services and screenings; counseling and follow-up services; and groceries to all those who attended.

"Organized chaos" is how the Rev. Steve Nickel described last year's outreach. The attitudes and willingness to serve others in need and the patience of those receiving services made for a powerful day, he said.

Nickel and his parish, Fox Valley Christian Fellowship in Kimberly, will serve as the point church for the event. Holding it at FVTC adds a new dimension to those looking to complete a GED or learn a trade.

"They are very excited to be hosting it and we are excited to participate because I think it adds a whole other aspect, that piece to the puzzle I think that will help even more people in a greater way," Nickel said.