Returning fundraiser supports ALF Food Pantry benefiting the local community

ATASCADERO — The 13th Annual Atascadero Kiwanis & Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner is set to take place on June 23, marking its return after a three-year break caused by the COVID pandemic. The fundraising event will be held at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion and aims to support the ALF Food Pantry, a local organization that has been serving the community for over 30 years.

The evening will commence with wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres on the pavilion lanai, followed by a formal gourmet catered sit-down dinner. Each table will have a winery owner or representative in attendance. The event will feature both a live auction and a silent auction, with the convenience of bidding on silent auction items using the GiveSmart app from the comfort of one’s table or home.

With a rich history of service spanning 54 years, the Atascadero Kiwanis Club has donated nearly half a million dollars since the inception of the first dinner in 2011. Previous beneficiaries of their fundraisers include organizations such as ECHO, Joy Park playground, Boys & Girls Club, Lighthouse Mentor Program, Atascadero Loaves and Fishes, as well as scholarships for graduating seniors and various other causes.

Club president Dan Chinn expressed pride in the decision to focus the proceeds of this year’s fundraiser on the ALF Food Pantry, highlighting their dedicated work in supporting individuals facing food insecurity. The nonprofit, powered by a team of approximately 70 volunteers, served 7,800 clients in 2022, benefiting over 24,000 individuals, including more than 7,000 children. ALF Food Pantry will receive 100 percent of the “Fund the Cause” donations and 75 percent of all proceeds raised after expenses.

Kiwanis International, the parent organization, is a global volunteer-driven movement committed to making a positive impact on children and communities worldwide, one step at a time.

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The Atascadero Kiwanis & Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner has been a big draw in past years, and will make its return after a three-year absence June 23 at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion. Contributed Photo