Fire Department Chili Cook-Off a Meals on Wheels Fundraiser

When Racine Uncovered founder Beth David found out that Meals on Wheels was short on funds, she did what she always does.

"This program helps people who wouldn't otherwise get good meals," she said. "I can't sit by and do nothing. That's just not who I am."

So David put a call out to the thousands of Racine Uncovered followers - RU Nation - and in a matter of days, she had a chili cook-off and fundraiser scheduled.

The Meals on Wheels Fundraiser and Chili Cook-off is from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Paradise Lanes, 6501 Washington Avenue.

Fire fighters from the Racine and Caledonia Fire Departments will put their best recipe forward for bragging rights. Patch editors Heather Asiyanbi (Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant) and Denise Lockwood (Caledonia) are two of the judges for the event. Chili tasting is tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m.

Additionally, there will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a basket raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and individuals including:

• $250 gift collection from Frank Boucher Chevy (total detail, 2 oil changes and an Armor All collection
• Callaway Jack Daniels Golf bag
• Jack Daniels Adirondack chair
• Wine baskets
• Products from SC Johnson
• Products from Pacific Sands

Folks who come to the fundraiser can also bowl, enjoy music by a DJ, enjoy more food than just chili and get some tasty treats at the bake sale.

Meals on Wheels brings daily home-cooked, nutritious meals to hundreds of home-bound seniors throughout the community. Dishes are cooked by the chef and staff at Lincoln Lutheran. The program suffered a serious set-back when leaders found a $15,000 hole in the budget earlier this fall.

In a story from The Journal Times, Tina Kirk, nutrition director at Lincoln Lutheran, is quoted as saying that unless donations increase, the program would have trouble meeting the area's needs through the end of the year. Meals on Wheels gets about 70 percent of its funding through government programs, and donations make up the rest.