The Freeburg Chamber of Commerce recently donated the profits of our Chili Cook Off and Fall Festival in September to two worthy local charities. The profits were evenly split between the Freeburg Food and Clothing Bank and the Utility Assistance Fund. 

The Food and Clothing Bank is run by St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. The bank recently moved into a larger building 1050 N State Street. The Food and Clothing Bank helps between 30-40 families each month with food and clothing donations collected from around the Freeburg community.  The bank is open the first and second Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm and the third Thursday from 5pm to 7pm. To contact the Food and Clohting Bank or donate, call 618.539.5070 for more information. 

The Utility Assistance Fund is also a charitable wing of St. Paul’s. They help those in need in the community struggling to pay their utility bills. Both the Food and Clothing Bank and the Utility Assistance Fund received $4,223.50 donations, equal half shares of our profits from the Chili Cook Off. In addition to these donations, the Food and Clothing Bank also held a food drive at the Chili Cook Off. Other local organizations also participated in the event. 

We are thrilled the Fall Festival was able to help these worthy causes. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Chili Cook Off and Fall Festival a major success. Thank you to everyone who came out and ate chili, supported their local organizations, and ultimately helped us raise these funds to help those in need.

As the holiday season approaches, we highly encourage you support these organizations and the other not-for-profit groups in our area who help the needy. As you plan your charitable donations for this season, please keep them in mind. 

To get regular updates on next year’s Chili Cook Off and Fall Festival, like the Cook Off on Facebook and like the Freeburg Chamber of Commerce on Facebook. Just as a reminder, Chamber members are allowed free entry into the Cook Off, so consider that when weighing your decision to become a member.