TEXARKANA - Some 300 to 500 people braved early Friday evening's brisk air to sample warm helpings of chili from 17 cooking stations manned by assorted comic book heroes - all for a good cause.
To sample the chili, patrons made donations to aid local homeless services, scholarships and education
during the sixth annual Bridge City Project.
As in years past, the event organizers took an annual census of the number of homeless residents living in Texarkana, said Alaina Presley, development coordinator for Mission Texarkana.
"Last year there were 120 homeless persons counted in Texarkana," Presley, who also serves as Texarkana Homeless Coalition chairwoman said. "This year, we're not sure of the number yet, but it has gone down compared to last year."
Presley added that since the event started in 2014, it raises roughly $1,000 each year to go to financing local homeless services.
Of the 17 participating clubs, civic organizations, charities and agencies that took part in Friday evening's cook-off, the local Habitat for Humanity office had their table.
"We have participated in years past because it's just a great opportunity to come out and support the needs of the homeless," said Habitat board member Katherine Morgan.
Besides Habitat, the Texarkana Board of Realtors marked its second year of participation as well as its 20th year as a board.
"This gives us a great chance to just give back to the community," said board member Mason Clem.
As for the Texarkana's Sunrise Rotary Club, this was its first year to participate, said club member Shirley Evans.
"We all loved coming out here for this occasion and now that we know more about it, we look forward to coming out to it again next year," she said.