Craving comfort food with a side of compassion? Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri and The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri's Mac 'N Cheese Bowl will be sure to satisfy your hunger.
The organizations invite the community to submit their best mac 'n cheese to the cook-off. The panel of celebrity judges, featuring former Jefferson City mayor Carrie Tergin and radio host Kevin Healy, alongside other local personalities, will determine the champion.
For those less competitive, you can cast your vote for the People's Choice Award and enjoy live music from Dave Baker and the band Lucky. Food from different vendors and a beer garden sponsored by Broadway Brewery will also be available.
The Mac 'N Cheese Bowl will take place at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Catholic Charities campus at 1015 Edmonds St. in Jefferson City. Tickets, priced at $20 for adults and $10 for children, can be purchased at the door or online at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/mac-n-cheese.
Event shirts will be available for sale. Event proceeds will benefit the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, a client-choice, grocery model pantry that is the result of collaboration between Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri and The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. This pantry, serving the greater Jefferson City area, is specially designed to give patrons the choice over the items they receive.
According to Ashley Wiskirchen, Senior Director of Communications, the pantry has served 1,700 households in 2023, impacting more than 4,000 individuals across 13 counties. Tori Baker, Senior Director of Development, said the pantry would not be possible without The Food Bank's assistance in both supplying the food and providing guidance on pantry management.
"Food pantries operate on a spectrum of choice, with the most choice being able to shop. A lot of support and research from The Food Bank informed how we designed that pantry," Baker said.
Baker praised the partnership between the organizations and looks forward to hosting an event that helps their shared mission and gives the community a taste of what their partnership is about.
"Our mission is to provide compassionate services for all regardless of faith, culture, or socioeconomic situation," Baker said.
To learn more about the food pantry and explore possible volunteer opportunities, visit sharefoodbringhope.org.