Some friendly competition was dished up at Our Place Saturday with a chili cook-off and a winter clothing drive.

A lineup of luscious legumes faced off in the inaugural B次元官网网址淟abour of LoveB次元官网网址� event co-hosted by United Way Greater Victoria Labour Committee and the Victoria Labour Council.

In addition to the cook-off, the event provided a chili lunch for up to 500 of Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 most vulnerable, as well as access to donations from a blanket and winter weather clothing drive.

Chili competitors were members of local unions, using secret recipes in their bid for the Golden Bean Award trophy.

B次元官网网址淰olunteers and contributors here today represent 16 local unions and organizations each with a commitment to community, social justice and challenging impacts of poverty and homelessness in our community,B次元官网网址� said Darlene Gallant, Secretary, Victoria Labour Council. B次元官网网址淭his event is to help ward off some of the impacts of this cold and wet season.B次元官网网址�

The chili cook-off was judged by a panel made up of Darlene Gallant, Victoria Labour Council; Le-Ann Dolan, Our Place Society; and Stephen Portman, Together Against Poverty Society.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really proud to be part of this Labour of Love. The labour movement and the United Way share a common goal of ensuring workers and their families have access to life-changing social services across communities,B次元官网网址� said Mark Breslauer, Executive Director, United Way Greater Victoria.

At for the Labour of Love: Chili Blanket and Winter Clothing Drive. Chili cook-off currently underway.

B次元官网网址� Keri Coles (@KeriColesPhotog)

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On any given night in Greater Victoria, there are more than 1,500 people experiencing homelessness.

Our Place provides over 1,200 meals per day, hot showers, education, job skills, free clothing, counseling and outreach services to Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 most vulnerable. It also has 135 transitional housing units and 60 overnight shelter mats.

Individuals and businesses provide the majority of financial support for its programs and services.

United Way Greater Victoria B次元官网网址榰nitesB次元官网网址� the generosity of people B次元官网网址� business, labour, government and individual donors B次元官网网址� with the skills, knowledge and expertise in the community to help those in need, providing multi-year funding to a strong and stable network of programs and services addressing emerging and immediate needs.

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