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Prime’s chili cook-off provides over 71,000 meals

Prime’s chili cook-off provides over 71,000 meals

February 23, 2016 in Harvest Time Newsletter

Prime Inc. held its annual Chili Cook-Off and silent auction supporting Ozarks Food Harvest in February.

The 2015 Chili Cook-Off raised $6,000 for those in need, but this year the local trucking company wanted to go beyond that total and help feed even more people in the community.

This year, employees raised more than $12,639 during the event to help The Food Bank serve hungry children, families and seniors in the Ozarks. As part of the fundraiser, Prime also made a donation of 9,431 pounds of food valued at $22,000 — providing a grand total of 71,055 meals for hungry individuals.

Fifty chili entries competed in the cook-off, and the winners were chosen based on employees’ votes and a panel of judges. Prime’s business partners also donated items for the silent auction.

“Ozarks Food Harvest is not only our neighbor, but its mission inherently fits us well. A fun chili cook-off competition between a couple departments within Prime has turned into a very worthy cause,” said Steve Behnke, regional sales and planning manager at Prime and organizer of the event. “We intend to grow our efforts within the company to sustain a strong relationship with Ozarks Food Harvest and our community it supports.”

As a thank you, Ozarks Food Harvest provided Prime with a hand-written note from a child sharing why the food she receives is important to her.

“There is no more to be said,” said Behnke. “It makes you feel so good and lights the fire under you for the next event.”