The Austin chapter of People First AKTION Club helps out with many fundraisers around town every year.

People First, a volunteer and support group for residents with disabilities, has helped out with the Personal Needs Shelf at the Mower County Red Cross, as well as bell-ringing at the Salvation Army, according to Dawn Helgeson, director of Arc Mower County.

“It’s a way for them to give back to the community that’s given so much to them,” Helgeson said.

That’s why People First and Arc Mower County have put on a food fundraiser for the past couple years, in order to help People First with its own goals.

Arc Mower County and People First’s Fifth Annual Soup and Chili Supper Fundraiser will take place Friday, Jan. 21 at the Mower County Senior Center from 4 to 7 p.m. People who come can expect chicken dumpling soup and chili, along with garlic bread, homemade desserts and sample fudge.

There will also be a fudge sale going on, with 10 kinds of fudge, including chocolate, chocolate mint, rocky road, chocolate mint swirl, chocolate amarretto swirl, chewy praline, maple nut and special valentine’s fudge available for $5 a half pound and $10 a pound. Tickets are available in advance by calling Arc Mower County at $6 for adults and $5 for children and seniors until noon Friday, and will be $7 for adults and $6 for children and seniors at the door.

All money will go towards People First’s expenses to attend the 2011 Minnesota Self-Advocacy Conference in the Twin Cities in April, where adults and youth with disabilities will meet and share their experiences.