Charities and tasters face tough chili challenge
The challenge for the organizations with tables around the perimeter of the Concordia Fire Station hall this evening was to capture the title of “People’s Favorite” while raising money for their causes. And the challenge for the scores of Concordians who turned out as “tasters” was to sample all 16 varieties of chili and then vote on which was the best.
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The annual Chili for Charity event — co-sponsored by Neighbor to Neighbor and Cloud County Community College — had 12 nonprofit groups taking part this year, offering 16 different flavors of chili. Several groups added to the food mix with small dishes of candy, “cake pops,” bread and brownies to go along with their chili offering, while offers added garnishes that included chips and cheese.
Tasters paid $5 for five tickets and a ballot. After tasting all 16 samples, they could vote on their favorite. They could also give tickets to their favorite charity, and each group received $1 for every ticket it received.
The recipe served by the Cloud County Food Bank, prepared by Tina Walsh, was voted the favorite chili. Two recipes tied for second: Neighbor to Neighbor, prepared by Chef G from Marla’s Joy Tea House; and Bentley’s Buddies, prepared by Tara and Jaida Koch. Hands Across our Community, prepared by Christina Brodie, captured third place in “favorite” votes.
All the charities received donations in the form of tickets, and the top money-raisers were (first) Cloud County Food Bank, prepared by Tina Walsh; (second); Concordia Community Park Project, prepared by Dallas and Nancy Nading; and (third)Helping Hands, prepared by Sister Betty Suther.
All the groups taking part this year were:
- Alzheimers Awareness
- Animal Control Services, City of Concordia
- Bentley’s Buddies (with three tables and three varieties of chili)
- Big Brothers, Big Sisters
- CASA-NCK (with two tables and two varieties of chili)
- Cloud County Food Bank
- Club 81
- Concordia Community Park Project
- Hands Across Our Community
- Helping Hands
- NCK Down Syndrome Society
- Neighbor to Neighbor (with two tables and two varieties of chili)