Saturday October 24th the West Concord Area Foundation held their first annual Gala with a Pie Bake-Off contest and fundraiser at the Bell Tower Center. Ten varieties of pies were brought by local bakers and attendees were able to sample each one and vote for their favorites. Each vote accompanied a donation to the newly formed organization, an affiliate of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). This fund generates growth which is used to support grants for local public and community benefits. This year the fund made a donation to the West Concord Police Department toward the purchase of body cameras. Fundraising helps the local fund grow under the SMIF non-profit organization.
The Gala included kid’s games like leaf art, ring toss, pumpkin tic-tac-toe to keep the young ones entertained. There was a cash bar and lots of socialized before the main event. Every one was able to taste each of the pies and it was delicious. A short video presentation of the SMIF program explains the benefits of the organization to southern Minnesota communities and how the West Concord Area Foundation receives funds and disperses them.
The votes were tallied and winners received 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons.
