Members of Riverbend Baptist Church will be spreading a bit of holiday cheer this weekend when they celebrate their annual Hope for the Harvest.

The event is viewed by the church as a mission trip, said associate pastor Steve Quinn, except the goodwill is spread here at home rather than abroad.

"We bill this as kind of a foreign mission trip for here at home," Quinn said. "We essentially are trying to do a lot of the same type of ministries that we would do out on a mission field, such as basic medical and dental evaluation, free haircuts and manicures."

But all these services are set in a carnival-like atmosphere, with games for the kids and prizes of grocery store gift cards given out to adults throughout the day. Hamburgers and hot dogs also will be served, and the church is putting together bags of Thanksgiving food to give out, too.

Quinn said they are hoping to have 500 bags ready by Sunday, filled with all the essential Thanksgiving side dishes.

One other goal of the event, Quinn added, we to break out of the church’s campus and minister in the community. Although he said no matter where the event is located, it will still benefit those in need.

"Historically, with this event, we have been able to reach the less fortunate in our community," he said. "We’re just going to have a fun afternoon; there will be activities for the kids and all of it is going to be free."