One Pot, One Purpose: Brother Vernon Serving Dover with Love

Sometimes community service doesn’t begin with a microphone, a podium, or a title—it begins with intention, humility, and a simple willingness to show up. That spirit was on full display when Brother Vernon Muhammad recently entered a local chili cook-off that doubled as a fundraiser for youth in the Dover community.

When asked how he first learned about the event, Brother Vernon Muhammad credited the inspiration to his wife, Sister Camisha.

“My wife was really the motivation behind it,” Brother Vernon Muhammad explained. “She’s always looking for something positive to get involved in. She found a flyer saying the city councilman was hosting a program to help feed children.”

That flyer led him to the People’s Community Center Youth Program, an organization dedicated to working with at-risk youth by giving them productive outlets during after-school hours. Like many grassroots programs, funding is often limited—and this particular year, support had been especially scarce. The fundraiser was designed to help fill that gap and continue serving the young people of Dover.

Having lived in the city for only about five months, Brother Vernon Muhammad saw the event as more than just a fundraiser—it was an opportunity to connect.

“I figured this would be a good way to meet people and get involved in the community,” he said. “I’m still new here, so I’m looking for ways to interact and build relationships.”

A Chili with Purpose—and Love. Of course, this wasn’t just any chili.

Brother Vernon Muhammad entered what he proudly calls Vern’s Vivacious Vegetarian Lentil Chili—a plant-based dish packed with vegetables, lentils, and carefully balanced spices. On a cold, rainy day with snow in the forecast, it was the perfect comfort food. “The main ingredient was love,” Brother Vernon Muhammad said. “I loaded it with vegetables, the lentils were hidden just right, and the seasoning was on point.”

Unbeknownst to him, the event was also a judged competition. With seven or eight different pots lined up, attendees sampled freely. Brother Vernon Muhammad noticed something unusual—his chili ran out faster than the rest. “People kept coming back for more,” he recalled.

When the judges announced the winner, the surprise was genuine. “They said the best chili was Vern’s Vivacious Vegetarian Lentil Chili. I said, ‘Oh my!’ I didn’t even know it was a competition.”

A Community Reflected in the Crowd

The fundraiser drew a diverse cross-section of the community. According to Brother Vernon Muhammad, the crowd included people of all races and backgrounds—Latino, Black, white, Asian—along with seniors, college students, families, youth, and individuals who appeared to be unhoused. “It was a very well-rounded crowd,” he said. “Not huge, but meaningful.”

Despite rainy weather and modest attendance, the event was considered a success, raising close to $1,000 through food donations and the auctioning of crafts created by youth in the program. “For a small grassroots program, on a rainy Saturday, that’s a win,” Brother Vernon Muhammad said.

Why These Spaces Matter

When asked about the broader significance of churches and places of worship hosting and supporting community events—especially in light of criticism that they “don’t do enough”—Brother Vernon Muhammad was clear. “If you call a place your community, you should want good things happening there,” he said. “Whether it’s a church, a mosque, a temple, or any organization—if they’re doing something positive, support it.”

He emphasized that real change requires participation, not just commentary.

“If you don’t like what’s being done, then you be the one to step up and do something,” Brother Vernon Muhammad said. “Every community needs people willing to make a positive impact.”

Lessons Learned

Reflecting on the experience, Brother Vernon Muhammad said the greatest lesson was realizing how much opportunity surrounds us—if we’re willing to look. “There’s a lot going on around us,” he said. “But you have to challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and meet people. There are others who want to do good too—and you’ll find them by showing up.”

In the end, the chili was more than a winning recipe. It was a reminder that service, humility, and unity—when practiced consistently—can nourish an entire community.

And sometimes, it starts with a pot of chili.