Convoy of Hope launched its 50-state community outreach tour, ‘The Convoy of Hope’, in Dallas, Texas, providing the less fortunate in the area with free meals, new shoes, haircuts, groceries and health screenings.

“This is a time when a moment turns into a movement,” says Ron Showers, community outreach director for Convoy of Hope, as he greeted the more than 1,200 volunteers at the outreach. “This is only the first stop that will take us to communities in all 50 states in the next two years.”

Father of four, Ricardo, borrowed gas money to bring his family to the outreach. His wallet is empty and his wife is expecting their fifth child in two weeks. Ricardo has a small tear tattooed under his right eye, but real tears swell in his eyes as he talks about the help his family is receiving through Convoy of Hope and its supporters.

“I’m so thankful for all of these people who are here to help my family,” says Ricardo as his voice trembles. “My sons have new shoes on their feet! There’s a lot of people like my family that need this kind of support.”

Help others like Ricardo and his family.

Pamela, 47, made her way to the large pink and white tent to take advantage of free screenings provided by the National Breast Cancer Foundation. “This is going to bring me peace of mind,” she says. “I want to know that I am healthy.” Pamela had a biopsy on a benign tumor in 2009 and with no health insurance in the years since; she had never received a follow up screening.

“Stories like Pamela’s and Ricardo’s are exactly why this tour is so important to us,” says Hal Donaldson, president of Convoy of Hope. “We know there are so many Americans who can’t find a job, have a hard time putting food on the table and have no access to basic health screenings. I hope we gave families in Texas some optimism for a better future.”

‘The Convoy of Hope’ will make its second stop in Joplin, Mo., on May 26 to reach residents there who are still recovering from a deadly tornado that struck the town on May 22, 2011.

Click here for the most updated ‘The Convoy of Hope’ tour schedule.