FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Some Southerners were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. For the rest of us who were in any way fortunate the utensil was plastic, but it was filled with piping hot chili.

Helping the less fortunate is actually the idea behind Chili for Charity, the annual fundraiser to benefit Ecumenical Ministries Inc., a United Way agency. The event will take place Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., at Oak Hollow Farm on Highway 98, south of Fairhope.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 12, and those under age 3 are admitted free. If you would like one of the commemorative chili bowls to take home, the cost is $30, and admission is included.

Chili teams will offer their best secret recipes of the spicy sensation for sampling, and serve it hot. Although many consider chili without beef a heresy, some actually dare to prepare chicken chili, seafood chili or even chili made with a vegetarian in mind.

Many activities are planned this year in addition to all the chili you can stand. Some are returning favorites, while others are new. They include a tethered hot air balloon, rock climbing wall, a multitude of children’s activities and live music by Blind Dog Mike.

Also returning this year are antique cars and tractors that proved to be a popular draw in 2008. A ladder truck from the Barnwell Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department will be on display as well.

If chili is not your thing, Chick-fil-A will be on hand to sell chicken sandwiches, and a bake sale will be held by the Mount Aid Missionary Baptist Church.

Em and Joe Johnson are the major sponsors again this year, and many other individuals and businesses made it possible as well.

EMI Executive Director Jennifer Crawford Claro said the annual event is a fun and tasty way to help the nonprofit organization fulfill its mission.

“The funds we raise through Chili for Charity go to subsidize programs,” she said. “We’re seeing more appointments booked two weeks out. People have been laid off.”

Among the EMI services many depend on are Meals on Wheels, emergency aid, rent and utility assistance, prescription drug help, the food pantry and home repair for the elderly and disabled. More clients than ever seem to be coming through EMI’s doors these days in both Foley and Fairhope.

Darlene Smith, EMI community liaison, said the agency’s assistance is provided in the form of vouchers. No actual cash changes hands. Claro noted that ensures it goes to the purpose for which it was intended.

“There’s a lot of desperation. A lot of people are desperate,” Claro said. “They need not just rent, but also mortgage payments. They’ve never been to the agency before, but they need us to help them.”

Claro continued, pointing out that it’s difficult to come up with $1,500 for one family, but Chili for Charity will help. She said, “We’re seeing two or three clients a day that have been fired or laid off, and it’s hard to find a job.”

Potter Tom Jones is always on the job, and he is once again fashioning the coveted chili cookoff prizes in his Clay City kiln. There will be first-, second- and third-place winners in the chili category; and a first place prize awarded in the booth decoration, apron decoration and People’s Choice categories.

He is also returning as the official chili bowl maker this year, after sitting out the 2008 event. Jones took the time off to teach young potters his craft, but missed being a part of the solution to a very big problem. He has made 300 heart-shaped bowls this year using six different colors to commemorate Valentine’s Day.

“The people at Ecumenical Ministries are a really fun group to work with,” Jones said. “The event has grown so much.”

Jones turned each bowl the traditional way, then hand-shaped each soon after removing them from his wheel. He dipped them in color glaze before placing lots of 56 into his electric kiln for bisque firing.

Each bowl is about a pound each when wet, he said, but they lose some of that weight as they dry. It takes on average over two weeks for each bowl to go from start to finish. Jones is able to make 48 bowls from each box of clay he opens, and he is more than happy to do it.

Jones, who studied under legendary Fairhope potter Edith Harwell, said, “It helps out a good organization.”

For more information about Chili for Charity, or the services provided by Ecumenical Ministries, call (251) 928-3430 on the Eastern Shore or (251) 943-3445 in South Baldwin.