RT London's Chili Cook-off Fundraiser
Congratulations Marianne Martz for winning RT London’s Chili Cook-off! More than 15 employees contributed to the cook-off and eight crockpots full of delicious homemade chili were put on display for tasting. Every employee who took the taste test and entered their vote paid $1. For those who wanted to indulge in their favorite chili after sampling, paid $5. The success of the cook-off raised a total of $500. The winner of the cook-off received a trophy, a custom painting donated by artist Melissa Sirk and was given the honor of choosing which charity to donate the money too. Marianne Martz chose Covenant House Michigan – Grand Rapids (CHMGR).
ABOUT CHMGR
Covenant House is a homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth (18-24 years old) home in downtown Grand Rapids. They offer street outreach programs, health services, educational and vocational programs, job readiness and placement as well as other support services, to help overcome hurdles that contribute to homelessness such as unemployment, inadequate education, violence, sex trafficking, drugs, and incarceration.
Grand Rapids Facts:
- Over 550 youth are on the streets on any given night in Grand Rapids
- Approximately 18% of youth have been homeless more than 6 times
- On average youth are homeless 23 months of their lives
- 51% of homeless youth were asked to leave the place they were living
- Over 24% couldn’t find a job
- Over 70% of homeless youth could not return home
- Almost 24% left home because they were physically beaten and/or abused