Local Kiwanis and Lions club members will square off Thursday in a battle of the chilies, with members of the chili-eating public and the supply-short Jackson Food Shelf the real winners of the good-natured competition.
The inaugural Jackson Chili Throw Down will take place tonight (Thursday) from 5 to 8 at the Jackson American Legion Hall. All are invited to come for a heaping helping of piping hot chili, baked potato with fixings and dessert.
A vote will be taken on which club’s chili is the best and the winner will own bragging rights, the title of “2009 Jackson Chili Champion” and the quasi-prestigious — and hastily created — “Golden Bean Award.”
A freewill donation will be accepted and all who attend are asked to bring one nonperishable food item. All proceeds — money and food — will benefit the Jackson Food Shelf.
Both organizations have worked in the past to raise funds and collect food for the local food shelf, but with supplies so short at present, club leaders felt the need to do more.
“As Lions, we brought food in a month earlier from a fundraiser, but the food shelf is still bare,” said Jackson Lions Club President Paul Roggow. “We’re trying to get more of the community involved.”
Cissa Tusa, a member of the Kiwanis chili cook-off committee, said though Kiwanians pass the hat at each meeting with any and all cash collected going toward the food shelf, the thought of a chili feed to benefit the food shelf was a great idea.
“I don’t think we could have thought of a more worthwhile cause,” she said. “The food shelf really needs our help — now more than ever.”
The food-raising and fundraising event also offers the two service groups with a history of good-natured competition yet another opportunity to go head-to-head.
“We talked with the Lions about how to judge this thing,” Tusa said, “and they said when all their chili is gone at the end of the night, they’ll know they were the winners. I say when all the votes are counted, we’ll know the Kiwanis came out on top.”
Those who attend the throw down will be asked to sample and vote as soon as they enter the Legion Hall.
But, regardless of who gets the most votes or whose chili is drained from the pot first, both Tusa and Roggow agree the community food shelf is the ultimate winner.
“Basically the winners will be the community, because we’re raising awareness and gathering food items,” Roggow said. “We’re looking forward to a fun time and a good turnout, and whether it’s a freewill donation or a food item, we appreciate whatever people can come up with.”
Click here Thursday to see opinions on the Chili Throw Down from Pilot staff on both sides of the competition.
