Annual charity chili cook-off set for today
Proceeds from event to benefit Shelter Hope Pet Shop, St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary
Hungry Santa Claritans will be able to get their chili fix while also helping support a cause at the seventh annual SCV Charity Chili Cook-off on Thursday at The Oaks Club.
Nicole Stinson founded the charity event seven years ago as a way to raise funds for the “underdog” charities of Santa Clarita that weren’t as wellknown or receive as much community support.
“It seemed like the same charities were just throwing the same kinds of fundraisers every year,” Stinson said. “We wanted to host an event that would support a different charity every year so new groups could get a chance to receive money.”
This year, 44 chili cooks, who will be judged by both a panel of celebrity judges and attendees, will compete to be crowned the best chilis.
Originally, the cook-off was exclusively for the real estate community. During the first year, Stinson planned the event in five weeks, and 600 people showed up even though she only expected 100.
That year, the cook-off supported five charities and raised $7,000. Now, the event takes a year to plan, and the 2018 event drew about 2,500 people and raised $65,000.
Two charities are chosen each year to receive support from the fundraiser. Charities are nominated through a form sent out on social media and an email list.
This year, Stinson wanted to support animal rescues and, ultimately, chose the Shelter Hope Pet Shop and the Lange Foundation’s St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary.
“We really liked how Shelter Hope was all volunteers; how many animals they were saving and how many families and kids we saw there,” she said. “St. Bonnie’s is completely different, and it’s a long-term animal rescue that takes in elderly and disabled animals that will probably never get adopted.”
This year will be the first time the event is held inside. Stinson said that last year, the cook-off coincided with a rainstorm that almost ruined the event.
General admission tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or in person. Tickets can be purchased online at scvcharitychilicookoff.com. The Signal is a media sponsor of the SCV Charity Chili Cook-off.