March to a Million Meals: Wife honors husband who died by raising funds for Harry Chapin Food Bank

Some people dedicate their lives to a cause so fiercely their legacy lives on even after death.

Steven Mijokovic gave to the Harry Chapin Food Bank with a passion. While he lived, he was an ardent supporter of WINK’s annual Hunger Walk. Mijokovic and his wife Carolyn walked in each hunger walk, except for the one where Mijokovic was too sick. As Mijokovic got sick and went for cancer treatments, he wore his WINK Hunger Walk shirt.

Mijokovic died in April of 2019 at the age of 71. In lieu of flowers, his obituary asked mourners to make contributions to the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

In 2020, Carolyn did the walk without Mijokovic, but carried his T-shirt, made into a heart-shaped pillow, along the way.

This year, she hopes to raise $2,000 for WINK’s March to a Million Meals.

Mijokovic did not live to see the pandemic, but Carolyn knows he would be a fiercer advocate for the cause due to the increase in need.

“He’d want as many people as possible to give whatever they can,” Carolyn said. “We volunteered at the food pantry and we saw the need. He didn’t live long enough to see this pandemic … now the need is greater than ever.”

Carolyn is close to her goal, only $67 away.

“I put it on Facebook, I send emails to people, I put it in our church announcements, just talk it up, that’s what he wanted me to do,” she said.

Carolyn honors her love story with her husband by helping her neighbors. She encourages others to show their love, too.

“I will be at the walk next year, I’m sure we’ll have that, please, and this pillow will be with me,” Carolyn said.

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WINK News is asking viewers to help donate $400,000 for the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. Throughout the month of February, WINK is hoping to raise enough money for a million meals. If you are interested in donating to WINK’s March to a Million Meals, visit here.