There’s a saying that my mom always shared that’s guided this little local tradition from the very beginning:

“The way you start the year is the way the year will be.”

On January 1st, 2021, I decided to take that saying to heart, but in a different way than before.

You see, I’ve always been one for traditions. I’ve done it all!  I’ve put money under my carpet for prosperity, burned an effigy to release the past (and honestly, I might do that one again this year), eaten twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight for good luck, and banged pots and pans loud enough to scare away every bad spirit in the county. If there was a ritual for a good year, I probably tried it.=

But after all those years of chasing luck, I realized something: none of it felt quite right.
Because deep down, I knew that doing all these things, these yiayia-isms (Greek for old wives’ tales) ,didn’t mean much if I wasn’t helping others.

All the noise, the grapes, the coins… it was fun, but it wasn’t fulfilling. What really mattered was starting the year with kindness with ensuring people were seen,  with community.

The Beginning of Something Warm

So on New Year’s Day 2021, I cooked a big pot of chili and invited others to join me. There was no grand plan, no committee, n

o fancy event name,  just a few people coming together to share food and warmth.

And from that first pot of chili, Chili for the Community was born.

What began as a simple gesture a way to make sure no one was alone on the first day of the year,  has turned into a beautiful local tradition. Because let’s be honest, New Year’s Day can be one of the hardest days of the year. The holidays are over, the house feels quiet, and that “fresh start” can sometimes feel more lonely than exciting.

That’s why this matters. No one should start the year alone.

Five Years of Connection

Now, five years later, Chili for the Community has become a tradition built on warmth, generosity, and the power of togetherness. Volunteers chop and stir with love, neighbours drop by with bread or water, local businesses donate ingredients, and people from every walk of life gather to share a meal.

It’s never just about the chili  it’s about connection. It’s about seeing one another. It’s about starting the year not with resolutions, but with compassion. Not with isolation, but with inclusion.

When we sit down together, strangers, friends, neighbours, we remind ourselves what really counts: kindness, community, and the warmth of knowing you belong.

Join Us — January 1st, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM

This New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2026, marks the 5th anniversary of Chili for the Community,  five years of food, laughter, and love shared across the table.

From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., everyone is welcome at the Green Wood Coalition space at 20 King Street West in Cobourg.

Bring a pot of chili, donate a case of water, a bag of beans, or simply come and share a meal with others.

Because if the way we start the year is the way the year will be. 
Let’s start it together, with kindness, warmth, and maybe a few good yiayia-isms thrown in for luck.

Want to help out, send me an an email at hello@northumberlandwomen.com so we can connect!