The Millersville Lions Club is offering an opportunity to get out of the cold and enjoy some hot food.

The organization will host the inaugural Super Chili Bowl Carnival on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blue Rock Fire Rescue Station 903, 3029 River Road, Conestoga.

Super Chili Bowl Carnival is the brainchild of Lions Club member Bobbie Frick. "It's a way for us to try and get new members to build up our club," Frick said. "Lions Club International has this Mission 1.5 right now, and the goal is to get 1.5 million members across the globe. We're trying to do our part, and I thought that we could have a really fun, family-friendly event and tie it in with the (NFL's championship game), since that'll be sometime in February. We can showcase everything that our club does and highlight the global causes that we help out with like childhood cancer, vision, diabetes, and hunger."

Anyone who wishes to participate in the chili cook-off can register by emailing millersvillelc@gmail.com. Registration is not required. Troy Steffy, the first-base coach for the Lancaster Stormers, will be the judge. The winner will receive a trophy and a gift basket. Guests can purchase a ticket at the event, which is good for a taste of chili prepared by each competitor.

Tailgate-type food such as hot dogs, chips, pretzels, and cotton candy will also be for sale. There will be football-themed games for kids and a visit from the Stormers' mascot, Cylo.

A door prize of four day passes to the Millersville Lions Club pool will be awarded.

VisionCorps will be on-site to do free screenings for children, and the organization will also have an informational table.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Blessings of Hope food bank.

"The holidays are going to be over," Frick said. "It's going to be midwinter and icky, so it's just something fun to do. People are going to get to learn about the Millersville Lions, and then maybe we'll get some people who would want to join and help us. We do a lot of really cool, fun things in the community. Our meetings are fun. We're a good group of people."

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster. People can show up for a meeting and check it out, or they can email millersvillelc@gmail.com.