Flora-Bama Chili Cook-Off Raises 24 Thousand Dollars for Cancer Research

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Flora-Bama's annual Super Chili Bowl Cook-Off has raised 24-thousand dollars for the American Cancer Society. Eighteen teams competed at the 32nd annual event last month, with guests sampling chili and voting for their favorites. The funds will benefit local cancer initiatives including Fork Cancer Pensacola. Flora-Bama says the event has been a community tradition for more than three decades combining competition, entertainment, and charitable giving.

Local Nonprofit Hosting Water Safety Day for Pensacola Elementary Students

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Hundreds of second graders will get a hands-on water safety lesson tomorrow in Pensacola. Water and Youth Safety Pensacola is hosting its 23rd annual Water Safety Day at the UWF Aquatic Center. Students from Pleasant Grove and Warrington Elementary schools will learn basic water safety and emergency response skills. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among children ages one through 14. The event runs from ten in the morning until nearly one in the afternoon and is free to students.

Waterfront Mission Launches Token Program as Alternative to Cash

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Waterfront Mission has launched a token program that gives community members an alternative to handing cash to people experiencing homelessness.

Each token provides one free night of shelter, food, a shower, and clothes at either the Pensacola or Mobile mission. Vice President Mark Isbell says the program ensures donations go toward meaningful services.

"It's a way that you know when you give someone on the street something, you actually know what it's going towards," Isbell said. "Rather than just handing someone $10 and hoping that it goes towards a meal or a night of shelter, providing them a token provides them so much more."

Isbell says the goal is to get people through the door where they can enroll in programs that provide long-term change, not just meet immediate needs.

"If we can get somebody to actually come to the mission, we have the opportunity to then enroll them in one of our programs that we can offer those life-changing services," Isbell said.

Tokens can be purchased online at waterfrontmission.org or at the mission. Buyers can have tokens shipped home or pick them up at the thrift store. People can also purchase tokens for the mission's outreach team to distribute in homeless camps.

The Waterfront Mission served 4,129 individuals in 2025 and provided nearly 85,000 nights of shelter.