Starting in 2012, CCV partnered with the 6th Judicial Circuit Public Defender, Bob Dillinger, to help feed the chronically hungry children of Pinellas County –- children who are on the free or reduced lunch program in their schools but go to bed hungry and do not have enough food on weekends. Recent statistics estimate that there are some 4,000 chronically hungry children in Pinellas County.
Both the CCV and Bob Dillinger have a common goal in mind; Dillinger’s “Nourish to Flourish” program provides food to these unfortunate children by sending a tray of food home with them every weekend. Each tray costs approximately $3.10 and for only about $156 a year, one child will be fed every weekend during the school year.
“This year we are proudly celebrating 10 years of giving back to our community,” commented Pam Ryan Anderson, Chairperson of the CCV. “The hunger problem is happening right in our backyard, and we are determined to make a difference.”
A letter of grateful acknowledgment was received from Bob Dillinger:
This is a wonderful event for the whole family that you don’t want to miss! The kids will love the petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy house, giant blow up slide, face painting, live entertainment, and more, plus the main event—the Easter Egg Hunt—which happens exactly at 12:30 pm.
This event includes a silent auction, great food and a fabulous fashion show with VIP models. The exquisite fashions featured are from local area boutiques. The huge silent auction had something for everyone with well over 300 items, and much more.
Entrance to Winter Wonderland is free but we ask visitors to bring a non-perishable food item and/or an unwrapped toy. The toys and canned goods are donated to local area charities, such as the Homeless Emergency Project sponsored by Everybody’s Tabernacle.