Who We Are

Where Love Grows’ mission is simple,
help end hunger for children and families beginning in our community as we make love grow.

Family always comes first for Where Love Grows, it’s what we love most and what we know and do best. In 2007, due to health challenges, Founder, Vicki Anzalone, moved from New Jersey to Tampa, Florida. Her health improved and her zest for life returned. Feeling grateful, she was inspired to give back. This was the beginning of Where Love Grows.

Together with her children, they hosted their first family dinner night on January 15th, 2013, serving 70 very hungry children over 100 meals. This was the night they witnessed childhood hunger first-hand. What was supposed to be an annual event immediately turned into monthly dinners. As of June 2021, Where Love Grows has served over 26,000 meals to children and families living each day with food insecurity. That number continues to grow each month. We’ve learned our dinners are so much more than a family style meal. Everyone involved feels the bonds being created as they are served with love and relationships grow.

Where Love Grows also hosts a monthly cooking program offering culinary lessons with ingredients to create a great meal. After each hands-on class, everyone enjoys the fruits of their labor. The skills learned go way beyond the classes. The impact is immediate and sustainable providing hope for a brighter future as everyone learns how to prepare and enjoy healthy meal options. Since March 2016, over 1200 attendees have enjoyed a Where Love Grows cooking class during 3800 hours of lessons.