For an afternoon of fun, food and fellowship, get tickets for bingo to benefit the Columbia Dream Center. Bingo will be held on Saturday, April 11, at the Knights of Columbus, 1575 New Danville Pike, Lancaster. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and bingo will begin at 1:30 p.m.

The event will feature food, door prizes, basket giveaways, 20 rounds of regular bingo, four special bingo games, a 50/50 drawing, a pick-your-prize bingo and more.

"Our famous grab bags will be back again with even more surprises inside, but get them quick because they sell out every year," said Cheryl Schmidt, fundraising coordinator for the Columbia Dream Center. "New this year will be the sale of pull tabs with cash prizes. Basically, there is something for everyone!"

Bingo prizes will include designer handbags, Yeti products, tools, cash and more.

People are encouraged to come hungry to the event.

"We will be selling hot dogs, sodas, water, walking tacos, mac and cheese, veggie cups, fruit cups, chicken corn soup, pulled pork sandwiches and a variety of baked goods," said Jenn Hollinger, director of outreach ministries for the center.

Proceeds from the event will be used to further the mission of the Columbia Dream Center.

"Columbia Dream Center exists to provide food, shelter, clothing and resources to Columbia and the surrounding areas," Hollinger said of the organization located at 360 Locust St., Columbia. "We look to find a need and fill it and find a hurt and heal it."

Money from the bingo will help to provide food and shelter to the homeless; serve meals to children over the summer; provide weekend food boxes for families; and support the center's food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing bank and Restart Day Center.

This is the fourth year the Columbia Dream Center has hosted bingo, and the event gets better every year, said Schmidt.

"This is a jam-packed day of fun, fellowship and bingo," she remarked. "Each year I strive to keep things fresh and interesting. Our prizes are top-notch, our (giveaways) are worth playing for and the cause we benefit is phenomenal!"

She recommended purchasing tickets early.

"Tickets will be available until they sell out," she said. "We can't guarantee tickets will be available at the door. Last year's bingo sold out 10 days before bingo!"

To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/2bss75em or https://tinyurl.com/4r5j594m or call 228-437-4876.

For updates, search for the event page at "4th Annual Dream Center Bingo" on Facebook.

For more information on the Columbia Dream Center, visit https://columbiahas.org.