Free Community Love Fest offers school supplies

Heart of Hope Ministries plans to hold its 4th Annual Community Love Fest in Rock Island on Saturday, July 18, according to an event announcement reported by OurQuadCities. The free event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1740 9th Avenue. Organizers are inviting families from across the Quad Cities to attend. The event is aimed at helping households prepare for the coming school year while connecting them with support services in the community. ### When and where is the event? Saturday, July 18, is the date listed for the Community Love Fest, with activities set to run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heart of Hope Ministries’ site at 1740 9th Avenue in Rock Island. OurQuadCities identified the gathering as the ministry’s fourth annual event. Business and community listings for Heart of Hope Outreach and Heart of Hope Ministries also place the organization at the same Rock Island address. (ourquadcities.com) Rock Island is the host city for a ministry that also operates ongoing outreach programs from that location. Word of Life Church QC says Heart of Hope is an outreach center it partners with and describes the site as offering a food pantry, clothing center, youth programs and resource referrals. ### What will families be able to get there? School supplies are among the resources planned for the July 18 event, according to the OurQuadCities report and an event listing tied to the same address and organizer. (ourquadcities.com) The listings describe the Love Fest as a free, family-friendly gathering built around back-to-school preparation. Games and other activities are also part of the program. (wordoflifeqc.com) Volunteer sign-ups and support services are also expected to be available at the event. OurQuadCities said organizers want the gathering to connect neighbors with local services in addition to offering activities for children and families. ### What does Heart of Hope Ministries do in Rock Island? Heart of Hope Ministries operates from 1740 9th Avenue and runs regular assistance programs in Rock Island, according to multiple public listings. (ourquadcities.com) Feed America identifies the site as a free food pantry, while community pages for the ministry describe clothing distribution and other direct-support services. Pastor Lynda Sargent founded Heart of Hope, according to Word of Life Church QC, which says the outreach center was created to provide “hope and healing” in Rock Island’s west end and the broader Quad Cities area. (ourquadcities.com) The church says the ministry’s work includes food, clothing, children’s programming and referrals to additional resources. ### Has the group held this event before? (feedam.org) The July 18 gathering is being promoted as the 4th Annual Community Love Fest, according to OurQuadCities and a separate event listing. Coverage from WQAD of last year’s event said Heart of Hope Ministries’ third annual Love Fest included free backpacks, haircuts and health checks for children. (wordoflifeqc.com) Last year’s event was also held in July at the same Rock Island address, according to archived event listings and local coverage. That continuity suggests the ministry has made the Love Fest a recurring summer event tied to back-to-school needs, though organizers’ current public promotion focuses on this year’s supplies, games and resource connections. (ourquadcities.com) ### How can people follow up before July 18? OurQuadCities published the event notice on July 8, 2026, and identified Heart of Hope Ministries as the organizer of the July 18 gathering in Rock Island. Public listings for the ministry and outreach center also provide the 1740 9th Avenue address for people seeking the site ahead of the event. (article.wn.com) July 18 is the next concrete date in the schedule, with the free Community Love Fest set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1740 9th Avenue. Heart of Hope Ministries and local event coverage are the main public sources carrying details for families and volunteers planning to attend. (ourquadcities.com)