Just so grateful’: 10th annual Flamborough Chili Fest heats up from Oct. 1 to 2
Things will heat up at local restaurants from Oct. 1 to 2 for the 10th annual Flamborough Chili Fest.
The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre (FWRC), a program of Interval House of Hamilton that helps support women and children in the community through counselling, housing and employment supports, legal advocacy group system navigation and financial assistance referrals.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chili fest was an in-person event held at the Waterdown Legion, but it transitioned to restaurants offering chili fest specials at their establishments.
To support the fundraiser this year, customers can visit 10 participating local businesses and order a chili fest special or visit a two-day pop-up event at West Avenue Cider House.
WHEN IS THE CHILI FEST?
Amy Comtois, Interval House of Hamilton’s resource development co-ordinator, said the 10th anniversary is a milestone, adding that all of the proceeds from the chili fest will be going directly to supporting women.
“We’re just so grateful for all of the support from the participating businesses, as well as the Flamborough community for supporting us year after year.”
Comtois said the Interval House of Hamilton is in need of donations, as its shelter is extended far beyond capacity, with 31 people in the 22-bed facility. She said those issues translate directly to FWRC, which does outreach support in the rural part of Flamborough and Waterdown.
“We’re still seeing really high rates of violence within the community,” she said. “What we really need right now are financial donations to help us increase our staffing hours and increase the resources we have available so we can best support the women in the community who reach out to us for help.”
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/chilifestflamborough.
mchristie@flamboroughreview.com
Flamborough Review on Wednesday, September 28, 2022