Sweet Heat

Published 11:00 pm Friday, January 16, 2015

It won’t be long before the aroma of chili fills the air on Water Avenue and brings everyone together for the fourth annual Alabama River Chili Cook-off, an event that the community looks forward to each year.

The cook-off is run by members of Selma-Dallas County Leadership XVIII, who do an outstanding job of picking a worthy charity each year. In the past the Salvation Army, the Cahaba Center for Mental Health and the Dallas County Family Resource Center have benefited from the cook-off and this year proceeds will go to SABRA Sanctuary.

SABRA could really use the extra help this year. The nonprofit, which supports clients of domestic violence and sexual abuse, has taken on the task of serving Greene, Sumter and Marengo counties after Harriet’s House in Demopolis closed in December.

SABRA is planning on using the proceeds to print brochures, so that victims will know where they can get the support they need.

That’s why the chili cook-off works so well. Not only does it bring members of the community together for some great food, but it also benefits a local charity each year in need of assistance.

The chili will feed hundreds of people and make the day of many, but the proceeds and support from the community have the power to change someone’s life.