Elise Bachman, 9, samples all nine chili entries competing in the thirteenth annual chili cook-off at Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church. The event is co-hosted by the church and Butler's Operation Spay and Neuter organization.

The 13th year of a cook-off event in Butler delivered several gallons of chili for two community causes.

Every winter, volunteers with Butler's Operation Spay and Neuter join forces with Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church to deliver seemingly endless pots of chili to the masses. Previous years saw six or seven participating organizations, while this year's event set a new record with nine batches of chili entered for consideration.

Attendees exchanged cash for nine cups of chili, one each from the nine competitors. The cups were unlabeled save for a ticket with a number corresponding to each entry. Diners each put their favorite chili's ticket in a bucket to vote.

This, the chefs at Butler Memorial Hospital won the competition.

The hospital boasts several titles from past years' cook-offs and took it again this year. Even before vote-counting began, organizers said that particular was likely the chili to beat this year.

The money raised by the event is split between the church and the spay/neuter organization.

“We are just so thankful for every dollar that comes in,” said Merry Meloy, the church's pastor.

This is an excerpt of an article that will appear in Monday's Butler Eagle. To read more about this great community event, make sure to pick up your copy of the newspaper or subscribe online.