SEVIERVILLE, TN – On 12 select dates from October 17th through November 9th, Wilderness at the Smokies will host the 2nd annual Funds for Food Drive in partnership with Sevier County Food Ministries. The general public is invited to splash the day away for just $10 per person, per day, inside Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark, Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark. Proceeds of the Funds for Food Drive will benefit Sevier County Food Ministries to deliver groceries during the holiday season to area families in need.

To participate in the Funds for Food Drive, the general community can purchase day passes at the River Lodge front desk from 10am-8pm on the dates of: October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 and November 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9. Up to 250 day passes are available per day at a special rate of $10 each, inclusive of taxes and fees. Kids ages two and under are free.

In 2015, the hugely successful food drive resulted in 42,000 pounds (21 tons) of donated canned and dry food goods, allowing Sevier County Food Ministries to deliver a bag of groceries weekly during the holiday season to more than 1,700 families. This year the program has changed to a monetary waterpark entrance fee to alleviate food storage challenges that resulted in 2015.

“We are truly grateful and excited to have the support of Wilderness at the Smokies again in 2016,” said Jim Davis, director of Sevier County Food Ministries. “Last year’s drive surpassed our expectations and it was a real blessing to be able to serve our community with much needed and appreciated groceries during the holiday season.”

Listed as one of the top 10 indoor waterparks in the U.S. by USA TODAYS’s “10Best Readers’ Choice” poll, Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark doesn’t normally sell day passes, making the Holiday Funds for Food Drive a unique opportunity for the greater Sevierville community to enjoy an 84-degree day-cation in their own backyard. Kids and kids at heart will delight attractions to delight in the seven waterslides, five pools and a multitude of thrilling water attractions, while supporting families in need.

“The Funds for Food Drive with Sevier County Food Ministries is a win-win opportunity for Sevier County,” said Russell Archuleta, general manager of Wilderness at the Smokies. “We are confident the community will embrace this special opportunity for a day of family fun while serving their own community. Special thanks to Food City, the Sevier County School System, the Sevierville Chamber, and the Pigeon Forge Chamber for their contribution in helping to promote the Funds for Food Drive.”

For more information about the Funds for Food Drive, call 865-428-5770. To make an overnight reservation, call 1.877.325.WILD (9453) or visit www.WildernessattheSmokies.com.

Sevier county Food Ministries is a voluntary interfaith ministry founded in in 1992 in downtown Sevierville to help assure that no on in Sevier County goes hungry. Food and monetary donations are used to purchase food and contributed by caring individuals, churches, businesses, clubs, groups and man other person and organizations. Their missing is simply to feed the hungry.

Wilderness at the Smokies, Tennessee’s Largest Waterpark Resort & Family Adventure Center, is situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the #1 most visited national park, in Sevierville, Tenn. Featuring 713 rooms, suites and villas, Wilderness at the Smokies offers guests an 84-degree, year-round indoor waterpark, two seasonal outdoor waterparks, an indoor family adventure center, dining, shopping, a 36-hole championship golf course, and more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Owned and operated by Stand Rock Hospitality, a Wisconsin Dells, Wis.-based hotel and hospitality development and management company, Wilderness at the Smokies has created hundreds of jobs in the greater Sevierville community, attracting year-round tourism, and having a major impact on sales tax and room tax generated for the City of Sevierville since opening it’s doors in 2008.