For People Who Live, Work, Pray and Volunteer in Austin on the West Side of Chicago

Enjoy an evening of food, film and activities at Bethel New Life’s Mildred Wiley Wellness Campus in Austin! It’s FREE and FOR AGES 14 AND UP, who live, work, volunteer, go to school, or worship in the Austin community.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner bites and tabling activities by community organizations, as well as tours of the beautiful garden in the height of harvest season (start at 6 pm).

You’ll also be able to taste at least 8 kinds of mac & cheese cooked up by West Side home and professional chefs.

Want to submit your mac & cheese to the contest?

See details here!

A little before 7 p.m., we’ll move to Bethel’s beautiful chapel to watch “They’re Trying To Kill Us.” After the film, hear a panel of West Side health and food experts talk about the film and answer your questions about how to “Thrive on the West Side”

Panel moderator: Arewa Karen Winters, Community Organizer, Austin Coming Together

Panelists:

• Dr. Daniel Luger, Rush Oak Park Hospital

• Mona C. Strahan, MPH MHA, Community Engagement and Health Equity Office (CEHE) of the UIC Cancer Center

• Cassandra Norman, Austin Community Food Co-op Steering Committee

• Neavah, Youth Mentee, Austin Harvest Grocery Store at By The Hand Club

Verses & Vittles Literary Slam

NEW! Youth ages 14-25 who watch “They’re Trying To Kill Us” this evening will be eligible to enter the “Verses & Vittles: A Lyrical Slam Experience with a Taste of Culinary & Wellness” Learn more here

Volunteering

Want to pop popcorn? Help the chefs participating in the Mac & Cheese Cook Off? Usher folks to and from the garden? Take photos? There are many ways to help out…and if you’re not from the Austin community, it’s the best way to be a part of the evening. Learn about all the fun roles here:

About Our Film

They’re Trying to Kill Us, 2023, 103 min, (Chris Paul and Billie Eilish), is a new groundbreaking documentary from Executive Producers seven-time NBA All-Star, Chris Paul and 7X Grammy winner, Billie Eilish. 

Audiences journey with co-director John Lewis as he crosses the country seeking answers to why Americans of Color suffer from disproportionately higher rates of chronic disease than their European American counterparts, while examining the intersections of food, disease, race, poverty, institutional racism and government corruption.

Through interviews with cultural influencers, doctors, researchers, politicians, attorneys, professional athletes, activists and experts in the field of food justice, John begins to unravel a story of collusion that has kept millions of Americans sick, while the industries responsible make billions of dollars.

The film follows John as the protagonist and narrator in the documentary because of his unique experience being adopted at birth from his drug addicted birth mother, growing up as an overweight kid in the violence of Ferguson, to becoming a prominent health and wellness advocate promoting compassion.

As part of Austin Eats' efforts to bring healthy food resources and lively discussion around local food access to the Austin community, this event is intended for those who live, work, play, or volunteer in Austin.

The evening’s line up

5:30 pm: Doors open. Tell us your favorite veggie or fruit.

5:30 to 6:45pm: Food & Fellowship

• Dinner bites: delicious, simple and healthy recipes

• Taste and vote on the Best of the West Mac & Cheese Cook-off

• Hydration Station

• Community partners will be offering lots of freebies and fun

• Tours of the Mildred Wiley Wellness Garden begin at 6pm

6:50 to 9 pm: Film, Discussion & Winner Announced!

• Settle in to watch our featured film “They’re Trying To Kill Us”

• After the film, hear a panel of West Side healthcare experts and food activists talk about the film and answer your questions about thriving on the West Side

• We’ll announce the winner of The Best of the West Mac & Cheese Cook Off

Masks are not required but are welcome. Proof of vaccination is not required.

Bethel New Life can be accessed by (transit information to come) Parking is available in the neighborhood.

Austin Eats is a collaborative working to rewrite the narrative around food in Chicago's Austin community. By synergizing organizations already promoting healthier food choices through grocery access, culinary entrepreneurship, food education, community gardens, and urban farms, Austin Eats will recreate Austin’s food access ecosystem. One Earth Collective is a member of Austin Eats.