NILES, Ohio - More than 500 people packed the Eastwood Event Centre Thursday evening for the second annual Chefs for Charity, a fundraiser blending food and faith with a mission to fight homelessness across the region.

The event featured more than 20 local chefs, live music, raffles, and over 100 donated gift baskets. Catholic Charities Regional Agency estimates this year’s turnout will bring in more than $50,000 to support programs that stabilize housing and provide shelter.

“This is the second year we’ve done this event, and it supports our homeless program and shelter for women and children,” said Nancy Voitus, executive director of Catholic Charities Regional Agency. “The money raised here is very important to us.”

Voitus added that the agency has seen an increase in families struggling to remain stably housed. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in situations where people are really having trouble staying stably housed,” she said.

Bishop David Bonnar of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, who helped organize the event with local restaurateur Ed Moses, said the challenge of housing insecurity remains pressing. “I think it's just as challenging today, and we can certainly not become relaxed in this effort. We need to become even more intentional,” Bonnar said.

He added that the mission is rooted in solidarity: “We can never leave the poor behind. There are a lot of people in our community who struggle every day for food and shelter, and it's important that we have solidarity with them.”

The event, which began in 2024, was designed to showcase local restaurants while channeling proceeds directly into Catholic Charities’ programs in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. Organizers say the community’s support underscores the urgency of the issue and the Valley’s commitment to helping neighbors in need.