Building community, one bowl at a time.
Upcoming Events
Join us for our next community event. All proceeds support local families and programs.
More events coming soon
Check back for updates or follow us on social media
The Best Bowl in Town is Waiting to Be Found
Every year, our annual Chili Cook-Off draws competitors, judges, and community members together for a day of incredible food, live music, and friendly competition. Whether you're entering your secret-recipe chili, judging the best bowl in town, or cheering from the sidelines — there's a place for you here.
All proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off are donated directly to the Food Bank of Iowa.
Enter This Year's Cook-Off →Cash Prizes
Top chili and cornbread entries compete for prizes and bragging rights.
Live Music
Local artists and bands keep the energy up all day long.
Family Friendly
Activities and fun for all ages — bring the whole family.
Community Impact
Every dollar raised goes back into programs that support local families.
We Collect
Bags of aluminum cans from local bars and restaurants.
We Recycle
Cans are turned in for cash at the recycling center.
We Cover Costs
Proceeds fund the Chili Cook-Off's operating expenses.
They Give More
More of the cook-off's proceeds go to the Food Bank of Iowa.
Donate Your Cans
We partner with local bars and restaurants to collect bags of aluminum cans for recycling, and anyone in the community is welcome to donate their cans too. The money raised covers the operating costs of our Chili Cook-Off — so more of what the cook-off raises goes straight to the Food Bank of Iowa.
Have a few bags at home? You don't need to run a business to help — anyone in the community can request a pickup.
About Something That Matters
Something That Matters is an Iowa nonprofit corporation dedicated to bringing our community together through fun, food, and fundraising. Every event we host supports local families and causes that make a real difference.
Governing Documents
As an Iowa nonprofit corporation, we are committed to full transparency. Our governing documents are publicly available for review.
Articles of Incorporation
Our founding legal document establishing the organization.
Bylaws
Internal rules governing board operations and decision-making.
Annual Report
Filed with the Iowa Secretary of State demonstrating our nonprofit status.
No sign-in required
Board of Directors
Our dedicated board of directors guides the vision, strategy, and operations of Something That Matters.
[ Name ]
[ Short bio or role description — e.g. Founded Something That Matters in 2018 with a vision to unite the community through shared experiences. ]
[ Name ]
[ Short bio or role description — e.g. Leads event operations and volunteer coordination, ensuring every event runs smoothly from start to finish. ]
Chief Technology OfficerTravis Auch
A Senior Consultant specializing in automation and the Microsoft Power Platform, with a background spanning RPA, database design, and enterprise workflow systems. Travis manages the technology platforms and digital infrastructure behind our events, registration, and online donations.
[ Name ]
[ Short bio or role description — e.g. Oversees all financial operations, grant management, and ensures our nonprofit compliance and fiscal transparency. ]
Get Involved
There are many ways to support our mission and make a difference in the community.
Compete
Enter your chili or cornbread recipe and battle it out for the top prize.
Register to CompeteVolunteer
Help us run the event. Volunteers are the backbone of everything we do.
Sign Up to VolunteerContact Us
Have a question? Want to sponsor an event? We'd love to hear from you.