Floyd County Ikes host annual chili supper fundraiser

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

It was a chili night in Charles City as the Floyd County chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America held its 42nd Annual Chili Supper on Friday, Oct. 20.

People packed the Charles City High School cafeteria on Friday evening to socialize and enjoy the savory soup while supporting the Ikes.

“It’s one of our two fundraisers that we have,” said club President Dave Nehls, who estimated that they usually serve between 150 and 200 people at the event. “It’s usually really good support from the community.”

Planning the cook-off takes a fair amount of work for the group. Chuck Redenius, a former teacher in the district, is credited with making arrangements with the school’s food services staff to provide chili for the event.

“He’s the go-between for us,” said Nehls.

While the school’s food services contractor, this year new contractor SFE makes the chili, league volunteers dish out the bowls, bring homemade desserts and take care of the cleanup.

Raising funds through ticket sales and sponsorships for the placemats, money raised during the chili supper goes to support the league’s activities. Dedicated to supporting local conservation efforts, the Ikes build and maintain birdhouses for area wildlife, plant trees in the community, and do whatever they can to assist Floyd County Conservation.

“Whatever needs doing, really,” said Nehls. “We’re really thankful for all the local support we get from all the businesses in town.”

Following the chili supper, the next big event for the Ikes will be the selling of Christmas trees on the weekend after Thanksgiving.