Independence, Inc. will be hosting its third annual Chili Bowl fundraiser on Feb. 1 from 5-8 p.m. at the Sleep Inn and Suites.

The bowl is open to the public, with tickets on sale online and at the door for $20. The ticket gets adult admission to all they can eat chili samples and a raffle entry for a Traueger Junior Elite Smoker or Series 3 Apple Watch.

Several local restaurants and chefs will be competing to win the attention of the panel of judges to be named the 2018 Chili Bowl Champion. Among the competing participants are Souris River Brewing Co., Charlie’s Main Street Cafe, Elevation, El Azteca, Market Place Foods, Vardon Golf Club, Panera Bread, and Burdick Job Corps.

When asked why a Chili Bowl for a fundraiser, Taylor Heine, who is the community relations specialist of Independence, Inc. said “Nothing tastes better than a hot cup of chili on a cold winter day.”

The Chili Bowl was started to give local restaurants and chefs an opportunity to show their recipes and compete and to give the community members an event at which they can enjoy an evening sampling, according to Heine, of “Magic City’s finest chili assortment” and to support a local non-profit committed to empowering people with disabilities.

The Chili Bowl is Independence, Inc.’s largest fundraiser both in proceeds and in attendance, with so many coming in for the chili contest and in support.

“Last year the Chili Bowl raised over $5,000 and this year we are projected to exceed that,” Heine said.

All proceeds go to Independence, Inc. to benefit its operations and goals.

Independence, Inc. is a local nonprofit and has been in existence since around 1995. It was created by local advocates and service providers who were interested in making Minot and the surrounding communities a better place to live, work, and play for people with disabilities. They are able to reach their goal through the money earned at fundraisers and donations.