Anytime the Senior Connection hosts an event that deals with food, you can expect a crowd to gather.

That was the case during the third annual Black Eye Pea Luncheon on Feb. 28.

Over 200 people walked through the doors of the Senior Connection’s location in downtown Clanton and grabbed themselves a plate to eat.

The menu included southern staples such as black eye peas, cole slaw, cornbread and all the fixings to go along with a homemade dessert.

“It never fails, because everybody loves peas and cornbread,” said Vanessa McKinney, Senior Connection director.

The luncheon is one of Senior Connection’s primary fundraisers, with the proceeds going toward the center’s organization costs as well as its fund to raise money to purchase a van for transportation.

In recent years, events hosted by Senior Connection have been a popular place for community leaders and residents to socialize and share stories with each other.

“We have a good relationship with the community,” McKinney said. “We’re just trying to keep building that.”

According to McKinney, the volunteer staff had been steadily serving food for two and a half hours.

God’s Deliverance provided the entertainment during the event with a variety of song choices.

“It seemed really festive and busy,” McKinney said. “The hospital was real supportive with the whole surgery team coming out [for lunch].”

The luncheon capped a busy month at Senior Connection, which also hosted the Chili Cook-off on Feb. 10.

“This will be our last fundraiser for the spring,” McKinney said.

A jewelry sale is expected to be held during the summer months before the attention turns once again to working with the Rotary Club in preparation for the Taste of Chilton in September.