Earlier this week, the United Way of Crookston announced they would not be hosting their 21st annual Soup & Chili cookoff at the Crookston High School. According to United Way of Crookston Executive Director Libby Boucher, the decision comes with careful consideration after conversations with Polk County Public Health and local healthcare providers. “We had a conversation with Polk County Health and local health officials, and they suggested an in-person event where masks weren’t going to be able to be used completely wouldn’t be a good idea,” said Boucher.
However, the United Way had a backup plan and is happy to invite everyone to their first-ever Drive-Up Dinner Dash at the Crookston Inn. The event will take place on the same day the Soup & Chili Cookoff was scheduled, October 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Boucher provided what the event will look like. “We had already put a backup plan together just in case, and because of that, we already had a half-formed event in our minds,” said Boucher. “Everything will be at the Crookston Inn, and they’ll provide the Chili, Soup, and Brownie. They’ll prepare everything for us, and we will collect the money and bring the food out to your car for you.”
The drive-up event will limit the potential to spread COVID-19 and allow people to grab to-go meals and bring them back to their homes if they’d like. The cost will be $10 a meal, which will include Chili, Soup, sides, and dessert. All you’ll have to do is pull up in your vehicle, order your meals and, and then wait. Weather permitting, the Valley Fiddlers will be in attendance to provide some entertainment, and you can pull off to the side in your vehicle and enjoy some music while you eat your meal.
Laurie Stahlecker is the General Manager of the Crookston Inn and was more than happy to host the event. Boucher talked about how quickly the new plan was implemented thanks to Stahlecker. “Laurie has been such a huge supporter of the United Way,” said Boucher. “It happened very quickly, and once she told us she wanted to help us with this event, we had a meeting with her, and by the end of that hour meeting, we felt like we were ready to go forward with the event. It was almost like she knew what needed to be done, and she came to us immediately without hesitation asking how we were going to do this.”
Boucher also mentioned Crookston is a jump-in and help community and that Stahlecker and the Crookston Inn are great examples of that. The hope is to have around at least 300 people attend the event, and freewill donations will be accepted for those interested in giving to the United Way.
For more information, you can go to www.unitedwayofcrookston.org/ to learn more.
