The Community Christmas Dinner is a nonprofit and 100% volunteer organization. Our mission is to provide a nutritious Christmas meal and fellowship to those who would otherwise go without or be alone at Christmas. This meal is open to anyone in Horry, Georgetown, and Williamsburg Counties at absolutely no cost!

The program started in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo hit the area. Our founder and chairperson, Janice Ash Sialiano, was a Red Cross volunteer and saw the devastation and isolation that lingered after the storm. She and her friends bought turkeys, and with the help of a handful of volunteers, cooked them at a church in Myrtle Beach. They encouraged those that were isolated, alone, and without the means to cook to come and eat on Christmas Day! That very first year the dinner provided 500 meals. 

Today, the Community Christmas Dinner has grown to serve over 12,000 meals within the 3 counties at eight locations--from Andrews, S.C. to Tabor City, N.C. This is all graciously done by volunteers on our board and over 300 other helping hands– there are no paid staff or administrative costs. 
Over half of the meals are delivered directly to homes by a volunteer. Many times, the volunteer is the only individual the person sees or speaks with on Christmas Day. 

The CCD also partners with other local charities to provide food to extend the reach of our mission. A few of our charity partners include: Meals On Wheels, Mobile Meals, Help 4 Kids, The Joshua Foundation, Sonshine Recovery Ministers, and New Directions Shelters for Men, Women & Families.  
Through the generosity of the community, we are able to serve a gourmet Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, prepared by a team of chefs from Crabby Mike's Restaurant in Surfside Beach. 

Our annual budget depends on food cost and varies from $50,000- $55,000 . We have been able to cover costs through generous local businesses, foundations, grants, and individual donations. We are very thankful to the Chapin Foundation and The Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation that have continued to provide grants to support this mission!