“We wanted to put together a fun, easy and free way for a lot of the different and smaller local nonprofits and community centers to be able to get together and get the word out on what they are doing and why they need to be doing it,” Griffon said.

Purposepalooza, held at 201 Ann St., featured booths sponsored by nonprofit organizations and centers from around the community. Workers at these booths talked to passersby and handed out brochures, hoping to share the work their groups are doing and why other community members should get involved.

“Many people say they want to (give back) but don’t have a lot of time or don’t know really what to do,” Griffon said.

Marcus Brown, co-founder of another organization at Saturday’s event, Village Summit, 119 Barnes Ave., in Lansing, said the event was a good way for the organizations to network and find out what services or resources the groups can share.

Other organizations at the event included Haven House, 121 Whitehills Drive, an organization that serves homeless families and helps them get back on their feet; Big Brothers Big Sisters, 1235 Center St. in Lansing, which helps at risk youth by providing them with long-term mentoring relationships; and Gateway Community Services, 2875 Northwind Drive, whose teen crisis hotline strives to show teens there is someone available who is willing to help them.

With about 10 booths set up on the street, the event was small, but Griffon said those in attendance were willing to work to spread the word and make a difference.

“The more information we can get out there, the better,” Griffon said. “We’ll build on that.”