Agape Community Economic Development will host their annual Heath Fair and Walk-A-Thon at Beloved Apostolic Church of God in Selmont Saturday.

The fair offers free food, free health screenings, prizes, educational materials and games in an attempt to help and educate the community about health.

“We’re out there to minister to their needs,” event organizer Mary Watson said.

The event will open with one-mile walk-a-thon at 9 a.m., that will take runners to Churchill Avenue and back to the church parking lot.

The health fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature health and safety professionals offering health screening for blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, among other things.

Doris Polnitz, a board member at Beloved Church, recalled a time when a man who attended learned he had a high blood pressure from one of the fair screenings. He was directed to either go to the hospital or his doctor.

“Some people just don’t go to the doctor. They don’t have the money to go,” Polnitz said.

Watson said the benefits of the fair go beyond a free service. People are also put in an environment that encourages them to visit their doctor regularly.

“When they come here and see all of us aiming for the same goal, it relaxes them.” Watson said. “These people are more willing to get themselves checked”

People can make donations to help residents pay bills, buy groceries, or meet any other financial needs.

The exhibitors for the event include the Community Care Network, Dallas County Health Department, Sickle Cell Disease Association, Selma Air, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Craig Volunteer Fire Department, Salvation Army, Cahaba Mental Health, Dallas County Health Center, Sabra House, Dallas County Health Center and more.

Anyone interesting in sending donations to Agape, can reach Watson at 874-4104 or Polnitz at 419-5212.