There wasn’t an empty stomach in the room at Ithaca High School when 20 local restaurants and caterers put their own spin on a comfort-food favorite for a good cause. The 6th Annual Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl on March 23 attracted over 1,000 attendees and raised a total of $30,000 for Foodnet Meals on Wheels.

Foodnet provides nearly 700 daily meals to over 400 older adults throughout Tompkins County. Along with meal delivery, the organization’s services include comprehensive nutrition services with a registered dietitian. Jessica Gosa, the Executive Director of Foodnet Meals on Wheels, says the organization will likely deliver 170,000 meals in the course of a given year. Gosa also shared that showcasing the importance of Foodnet to the community is a key part of the fundraising process.

“Just as important as it is for us to raise funds, it’s important for us to raise awareness about senior hunger and malnourishment among older adults in our community.”

Among the participants helping to raise awareness was Katie Foley, the owner of Silo Food Truck. Silo entered it’s signature “Orgasmac” mac and cheese, which seemed to be a hit with attendees. Foley ran out of the dish before the event concluded.

“We think Meals on Wheels provides an incredibly important service to the community. We actually have grandparents out in Ovid that benefit from a similar organization,” said Foley.

The event took place in March because it coincides with March for Meals, a campaign through Foodnet’s national affiliate Meals on Wheels America. March also marks the month when the Older Americans Act of 1965 was amended to include senior nutrition programs, like that offered by Meals on Wheels.

Foodnet receives about 65 to 68 percent of its funding from the government in a given year, but that funding isn’t enough to sustain the whole organization.

“It’s not possible for us to do everything we need to do with just that amount of funding,” said Gosa. “Fundraising is the other way we leverage some of our government funding through community grants, individual gifts and then this big Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl. So all of the funds raised through that will help us feed more.”

Along with a variety of mac and cheese, there was also a live band, a clown, crafts and raffles at the event. Attendees were given a pamphlet to leave tasting notes for the competitors and vote for the best mac and cheese in four categories. Red’s Place took home 1st place in the Best Meat and Kid’s Choice categories. Serendipity Catering won the Best Non-Meat category, and Silo Food Truck finished at the top of the Most Creative category.

As Gosa announced the winners, she also addressed the attendees.

“We just thank you for being here because by you coming here, you’re helping us to provide a dependable pathway to food security for those who might otherwise be forgotten.”

For those who might’ve felt weighed down by their cheesy indulgences, Gosa offered some advice. “I’m told calories and carbs do not count when you’re eating for a good cause.”