Back in January, Tampa Bay 28 anchor Deiah Riley first introduced you to Pastor Deborah Hill.At the time, Pastor Hill was overwhelmed after winning a $50,000 grant through the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award. She told R iley that every dollar would help feed food-insecure children in St. Pete through her non-profit, Bridge of Hope Kitchen.WATCH St. Pete pastor turns childhood lesson into lifeline for hundreds of children St. Pete pastor turns childhood lesson into lifeline for hundreds of children"Initially, it started behind those words, said Pastor Hill."This is what started it. Who is Daisy Mae Hill? asked Riley."That's my mother. Yes, and she would always sit us around the table, and she would always say, if you have a piece of bread, everyone should have a piece of bread, explained Pastor Hill.In 2022, that simple lesson created Bridge of Hope Kitchen.Pastor Hill gave Tampa Bay 28 anchor Deiah Riley a tour of her building, where disadvantaged children in St. Pete find more than a hot meal. They find hope and opportunity."I don't want to see a kid falling between the gaps. I want them to all to succeed. So, I teach them. I start off with the basics, said Pastor Hill.Pastor Hill is the heart of this mission; her husband, Lou, is the muscle, and her volunteers are the army. Most of these people have full-time jobs, but Deborah said this place is where the real work begins."When I get off work, I come in here, I roll up my sleeves, and I begin to help, because we have meals that have to go out, said Pastor Hill.Its one thing to hear Pastor Hill talk about her mission, but its another to watch it unfold.Three nights a week, children ages four to 15 come here for tutoring and enrichment activities. Chloe Jordans been coming here since the 5thgrade and is now in 8thgrade. Her reason for coming back is simple."The teachers and Pastor Deborah. I have a peace of mind that helps me focus, explained Chloe Jordan.One of those teachers is Deirde Smith, who over the years has watched both GPAs and attitudes improve."Every time they come in and show us their grades. They're proud, and it makes me feel good to know that they're proud of their own success, and if they're doing 4.0 and 3.6, that means they're grasping all of the concepts that we're teaching them, and I couldn't be more proud, said Deirde Smith.Pastor Hill said this is a family, and Bridge of Hope is determined to nurture and feed them."Miss Daphne, she cooks hot meals, you know, like a dinner you would sit down to eat, and, like, matter of fact, today we'll be having meatloaf and mashed potatoes and string beans and rolls, so she cooks a great hot meal for them, explained Pastor Hill.And for those who cant make it, theres a mobile unit delivering meals.The $50,000 Community Hero Grant helped her reach more children in need, and then six months later, lightning struck twice. This time on a national stage at the Kelly Clarkson Show."Deborah, you are not just a finalist, you are in fact the G2 Pilot Pen overachiever's grant winner."I went there, believing, thinking that I am a finalist, and when I got there, oh my gosh, I was just overwhelmed, because I won. I actually won it, said Pastor Hill.She walked away with a $100,000 check, but the real reward is the impact shell be able to make.I believe in my heart of heart that this is an assignment that has been given to me while I'm here in the earth and I want to do my assignment well, explained Pastor Hill.Pastor Hill said shes planning to expand her dining room to accommodate more children, but she needs more donations and volunteers.2026 has been a good year for Pastor Hill. In addition to her two unexpected blessings totaling $150,000, she was inducted into the St. Pere Senior Hall of Fame in April. Then, in May, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch presented her with the key to the city. ...read more read less