Great American chili and neighbors helping neighbors were on the menu Tuesday as the United Way held its annual Chili Cook-off and campaign kickoff event.

“We feel good about this year and are looking forward to a really good campaign,” said Jane Thrash, United Way board member. “The goal for this year is to raise $100,000. (The kick-off) has been amazing and we are proud of the turnout and the enthusiasm.”

Funds raised by the annual United Way campaign help support 17 community agencies in various ways. Representatives of those agencies were on hand for the kickoff, sharing information about their work and some were dishing up their chili for the judges.

For Retired and Senior volunteer program, United Way helps pay for a portion of the volunteers’ liability insurance when they go out and help the Pike County community, said Tammy McGee, RSVP director.

For the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center, United Way helps to cover the counseling fee or any other services for abused and neglected children, said Kaley Green, the center’s employee.

“Participation in the cook-off is a way for us to give back to United Way,” Green said. “We like to help them out whenever and however we can.”

Annie Hendrix, the center’s chili maker, said her chili is one of her family’s favorite meals.

“This is a super simple chili,” Hendrix said. “It’s my mother’s recipe. I have fed my family with this over years. We are thankful for all the entries going in to help fund the agencies.”

Donna McLaney, Coordinator at Pike County Salvation Army said it was always fun to participate in the annual chili cook-off. She won second place before and was excited about this year competition.

The agencies supported by United Way participated in the cook-off and the winners earned a chili-pot trophy, Thrash said.

The Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center won People’s Choice award and Salvation Army won the Judges’ Blue Ribbon Award. The winner for the 50-50 draw was Catherine Jordan for the College Senior Complex.

Thrash said United Way volunteers will begin visiting businesses and schools to encourage individuals to donate to the annual campaign. “People can donate by payroll reduction or one time donation to United Way,” Thrash said. “Money that is donated here stay here at Pike County. We ask people to dig deep and give hard.”