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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Presbyterian Church members (left to right) Stephanie, Addison and Audrey supported the youth group while enjoying a lunch of chili and hot dogs at the church’s annual Chili Cook-off on Feb. 24.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Serving as judges for the Canfield Presbyterian Church annual Chili Cook-off were, from left, Mary Burkett, Jeff Grdic and Jason Campbell.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of the Canfield Presbyterian Church youth group served chili at the church’s annual Chili Cook-off on Feb. 24.
By ABBY SLANKER aslanker@vindy.com
The Canfield Presbyterian Church hosted its annual Chili Cook-off on Feb. 24.
The event is a fundraiser to support the church’s annual mission trip.
The chili cook-off offered 16 varieties, including hearty, spicy, chili with a zest, Cincinnati chili, a little spicy, no bean, spicy sweet and white chicken chili.
All 16 entrees were tasted and judged by judges Mary Burkett, Jeff Grdic and Jason Campbell, who were tasked with crowning one overall winner.
Youth members helped serve the chili, clear tables and assist attendees. The menu also included hot dogs, corn bread, dessert and beverage and chili toppings included onions, cheese and sour cream. Take outs were also available.
According to Mission Housing Director and Interim Christian Education Director Lisa Velker, the group will not be traveling this summer for its youth mission trip, but will be staying in the mission housing area of the church to visit local missions in urban Youngstown such as Rescue Mission and Hope for Renewal and rural organizations such as Goodness Grows and Walnut Grove.
“During the week of June 9, our youth mission trip will be spent helping local organizations with our Feet to Faith program. The group will be visiting local urban missions such as Habitat for Humanity, Rescue Mission and Hope for Renewal and rural mission such as Goodness Grows and Walnut Grove. The group will be staying in the mission housing of the church during the week,” Velker said.
Velker said this is a great opportunity for the youth of the church to understand the challenges faced in Youngstown.
“This may be the first time the youth will experience first-hand the needs in Youngstown. It’s important for them to understand that these challenges and needs are here locally. It’s a great experience for them to have giving back to the people who live here in our community,” Velker said.
The Feet to Faith program is open to other community groups and out of state community groups. The program is fee based and provides the mission housing and an itinerary is set for each group. The mission housing offers lodging for up to 50 people, separate sleeping rooms for men and women, comfortable cots, separate handicap accessible rest rooms and shower room facilities for men and women and access to a fully equipped kitchen.
“We take care of everything for the groups who stay with us. We do all the leg work of the when, where and who. It is all taken care of. We have three groups scheduled for July. Two are from Pennsylvania and one is from Michigan, Our program is open all summer,” Velker said.
For more information on the Feet to Faith program, email Velker at lvelker@canfieldpresbyterian.org.
Continuing fundraising efforts for its mission trip, the youth group will host its annual Trash and Treasure Sale at the church on May 4.