GRAND FORKS – The Altru Family YMCA is hosting a Chili Feed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the VFW, 312 DeMers Ave., East Grand Forks.
A free will donation is encouraged. Proceeds will be used to provide YMCA scholarship assistance for area veterans.
“The public is invited to stop in and enjoy several different, tasty chili recipes, made by volunteers, and all the fixings …” according to the event announcement.
This is the fourth consecutive year the event has been held, said Bob McWilliams, president and CEO of the YMCA.
For veterans who may be unable to afford the full cost, the scholarship program provides access to single or family memberships or specific programs they are interested in, such as CPR, First Aid or personal trainers, he said. Discounts, ranging from 50 to 100%, are considered and offered on an individual basis.
The event replaces the YMCA’s former Veterans Run, which had been held in November, McWilliams said. “We decided to change it up a bit, because you never know what the weather is going to be like.”
In the scholarship application process, applicants don’t always disclose that they are veterans, he said, but he does have an estimation of the need that exists in the community.
Over the past three years, McWilliams has observed that about two dozen or so veterans would benefit or are benefiting from scholarships in both the individual and family categories.
The VFW, which has hosted the Chili Feed each year since 2021, “has been very good to us,” he said. “They do not charge a fee for the space and they promote the event.”
The VFW is also a family-friendly venue, so guests do not have to be 21 to attend, he said.
For more information, contact Danny Ray at the Altru Family YMCA, (701) 775-2586. The facility is located at 215 N. Seventh St., Grand Forks.