North Platte, NE, September 30, 2024 – Mid-Plains United Way, a local nonprofit
organization that supports education, health and financial stability in the region, is
inviting the community to join FNBO for their 29th Annual Chili Cook-off on Friday,
October 4, 2024.
The event will take place from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the main FNBO parking lot
(201 N Dewey St) in North Platte. Admission is $10, which includes samples of 15
different chilis prepared by local businesses and organizations. Beverages and
desserts will be sold by Mid-Plains United Way and their partner agencies. Guests are
encouraged to bring extra cash to vote for their favorite chili, themed booth, and piein-the-face winner. Local leaders participating in the pie-in-the-face competition are Canon Rath and Paxton Gordon from Eagle Radio and Noah Harvey from Dayspring Bank.
The Chili Cook-off is the giving campaign kick-off event and one of the major
fundraisers for Mid-Plains United Way. This year, campaign funds will be distributed
to 12 partner agencies that provide vital services and programs to the residents of
Chase, Custer, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Grant, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith,
Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow, and Thomas counties. 2024-25
partner agencies are Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center, Community Action
Partnership of Mid-Nebraska-Utilities, Community Connections Mentoring,
Community Connections Substance Abuse Prevention, Guardians of the Children, L2
for Kids, Lutheran Family Services, Nebraska Youth Center, The Connection
Homeless Shelter, North Platte Senior Center, North Platte Catholic Community Food
Pantry, and Hope Esperanza.
“I am very excited for this year’s FNBO Chili Cook-off and the start of our 2024-25
Giving Campaign,” said Haven Smith, the executive director of Mid-Plains United
Way. “This year, we are pushing for participation. A donation of $10 each becomes
impactful when your friends and neighbors give as a united community. With over
300 people attending each year, the Chili Cook-off is a perfect example of this idea,
while also being fun and creative. We are extremely grateful to FNBO for providing
us this opportunity to raise funds for our partner agencies who help those in need.”
Some of the participants in this year’s Chili Cook-off include Dayspring Bank,
WCDHD, Lutheran Family Services, Great Plains Health Quality Dept., Scott
Abstract, First Interstate Bank, Trego-Dugan Aviation, Lincoln County Board of
Realtors, Walmart Distribution Center #7018, First National Bank, Lashley Land,
Guardians of the Children, and Two Brothers Bow Creek Ranch.
For more information about the Chili Cook-off or to register a team, please call 308-
532-8870 or email unitedway172@gmail.com. Automatic monthly or one-time
donations to Mid-Plains United Way can be made at midplainsunitedway.com.
