A day that provides hope

208 Ministries will host the sixth annual Day of Hope on Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. 

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and welcomes all individuals and families seeking help, encouragement and support. 

With around 25 partners, Day of Hope unites charities, businesses, churches and volunteers.

“We want to provide hope, help and community, and put it all in one place,” said Dave Miller, 208 Ministries’ director of business development and community management. 

Attendees will have access to free groceries, haircuts, games, live music and more.

Miller called the event "critical" for a community like Kootenai County, saying that it can connect people with services and people. 

“There are so many organizations that it seems overwhelming, so people don’t really know what these organizations are doing,” he said.

He also believes the Day of Hope can serve as a way to spread awareness in the community.

“People that volunteer and help sometimes don’t know the number of people that are just fighting to survive,” said Miller. “It opens a lot of people’s eyes.”

Another great aspect, Miller said, is the amount of people that come and receive help. 

“We have had a few people that were in really bad situations,” he said.

He has volunteers from around the nation. 

“I’ve got people here from Florida, from Georgia, from Alabama that are coming to be a part of what we’re doing here,” he said.