It’s not too late to grab your apron and test your kitchen chops in this year’s annual Chili Cook-Off and Craft Beer contest.
On Saturday, March 9, people of all ages can attend Hoboken’s 10th annual contest from 2 to 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace at the corner of Fourth Street and Willow Avenue.
TRUE Mentors hosts the event, a nonprofit volunteer organization that helps more than 150 children find internships and mentors with local residents.
One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward the nonprofit, funding free mentoring programs for local children including field trips, one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and more.
This year’s cook-off
The contest is the largest fundraiser for the organization. Last year it raised roughly $18,000, but this year TRUE Mentor’s Executive Director Katie Eades is aiming higher, hoping to raise closer to $25,000. She expects more than 400 to attend.
According to Eades, the annual chili cook-off is the brainchild of former Fourth Ward Councilman and founder of Hoboken Volunteer’s Tim Occhipinti.
“It started in the back room of the Shannon, and I’m not sure how many participants there were, maybe eight or nine people, but it grew so we moved it to the Elks Lodge, and it continued to grow, so now it’s at Our Lady of Grace, and its been there ever since,” Eades said.
fThe contest is open to all, whether you prefer your chili with heat or with a milder kick.
“We see a lot of family teams, or mother-daughter duos, or best friends, and even some of our mentors and mentees compete,” Eades said, noting that there are still a few spots available if people want to join.
Competing teams enter for free and have the chance to win first, second, or third place or the “fan favorite” category.
Winners could walk away with $1,000 in prizes donated by local businesses.
While sampling some of the best chili recipes and craft beers in the area, attendees can also listen to live music by Gravy Train.
“It’s really a great community event that everyone can come and enjoy and get to know each other, eat some great chili, and taste some craft beers while getting to know more about who we are and what we do,” Eades said.
“One of the first things we ask our kids is do you feel the community cares about you, and do you have resources in the community.” — Katie Eades
A good cause
TRUE Mentors is Hoboken’s only one-to-one mentoring program matching children ages 7 through 17 with adult mentors in the same community.
“Being connected to the community is one indicator which really helps kids be successful,” Eades said. “One of the first things we ask our kids is do you feel the community cares about you, and do you have resources in the community. We are providing and helping to build relationships between these kids and someone who is part of the community who is not a teacher, or a parent, or a disciplinarian, but is a friend and adult they can turn to, talk to, vent to, or ask for help. They can tell them about whatever is going on in their lives.”
In the past year, the nonprofit doubled its number of one-to-one matches; hosted nearly 100 clubs, workshops, and field trips; expanded its Teen Internship Program by 40 percent; and achieved a 100 percent college acceptance rate.
Due to the growing enrollment TRUE Mentors also made the decision to relocate to the Jubilee Center at 601 Jackson St, which provides them with more room and an ideal location.
“It is much better because it’s centrally located,” Eades said. “We are over on the west side but we also moved up to Sixth Street which is closer to the center of town and local businesses and housing authority, so it’s convenient for the residents we serve.”
The nonprofit has more than 150 kids enrolled and is looking for more mentors and volunteers especially men whom Eades said can be difficult to recruit.
“Men aren’t going online and Googling where to volunteer with kids,” Eades said. “It’s a common issue in a lot of volunteer organizations. We hear all the time, ‘What do you do with a seven-year-old?’ or ‘How do I even talk to a seven-year-old?,’ but we actually provide training sessions to help them with that.”
“When we talk to people they will say ‘Oh, I was a bad kid, I can’t be a mentor’ but all of those things are why they would be a fantastic mentor,” Eades said, “as long as you care about the child and commit and show up for the child you are helping.”
Volunteers can sign up online. The process begins with a completed application and interview.
For more information on TRUE Mentors go to http://truementors.org/. To sign up to participate in the cook-off or to support TRUE Mentors at the cook-off, purchase a ticket for $45 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-hoboken-chili-cook-off-tickets-52499200522
For updates on this and other stories check http://www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.
