EASLEY — If you’re looking for a bite to eat on Friday night, how’s chili sound? But not just any old bowl of chili, this one can help to send a couple of kids to college.

The Bates Lodge No. 189 in Easley is holding its third annual chili cook-off competition to raise funds for two scholarships to be presented in May to two deserving seniors from Easley High School.

“We give one each to a male and female student,” said Steven Hammett, secretary for the Lodge. “The scholarship we’ve done for five years, but the chili cook-off as a dedicated fundraiser for the scholarship is still relatively new.”

Last year two $300 checks were given to the recipients of the Bates Scholarship.

“We look at a lot of things, they have to be graduating seniors with plans to attend college. We write the checks directly to the schools,” he said.

Grades, community service and character excellence all are determining factors in the Lodge’s selections and well as family contributions to tuition.

“We want to give it to the kids that really need it, you know?” said Hammett. “Not to someone who already has a full ride.”

Hammett said although participation in the chili event has been rather limited in the past, he was hoping for a larger turnout this year.

“We have five entries in the contest, but I don’t know what kind they’re bringing,” he said. “The first year we did it we had a variety — white chili, chicken chili, vegetarian chili — you name it. Last year, well, last year’s didn’t go so well …”

The competition last year only had two entries and the Masons had to resort to some last-minute ingenuity.

“We ended up running out to the grocery store and buying some,” Hammett laughed. “But I think things are looking up for this year.”

The contestants this year are all members of the Lodge, family, or friends.

“Well, you can’t have just anyone bringing in a pot of chili that you’re then going to serve to the public,” he said. “Who knows what you’d get?”

Hammett himself is one of the entries and plans to come on Friday armed with his best pot of chili ever.

“It has a secret ingredient,” he said. “Love.”

The Bates Lodge chili cook-off is Friday, March 31, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lodge, located at 439 NE Main St. in Easley.

The Bates Lodge chili cook-off is this Friday, March 31, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lodge, located at 439 NE Main Street in Easley.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_chili.jpgThe Bates Lodge chili cook-off is this Friday, March 31, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lodge, located at 439 NE Main Street in Easley. Courtesy photos

The Bates Lodge no. 189 in Easley is holding their third annual chili cook-off competition to raise funds for two scholarships to be presented in May to two deserving Seniors from Easley High School.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_lodge.jpgThe Bates Lodge no. 189 in Easley is holding their third annual chili cook-off competition to raise funds for two scholarships to be presented in May to two deserving Seniors from Easley High School. Courtesy photos

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.