A tasty competition

Every year, HVAF participates in many community events that benefit our veterans. One of our favorites? Hoagies & Hops’ hoagie eating contest!

On September 11, 17 locals participated in the fifth annual contest – where 100 percent of the proceeds benefitted HVAF! Competitors had to eat an 18 inch hoagie– a Philly-style sandwich. And, whoever eats the hoagie in the shortest amount of time wins 1 free hoagie per month for one year!

Check out this year’s contest:

Hoagie eater Cornelius won the competition for the second year in a row! It took him about 5 minutes to eat the entire hoagie.

What is Hoagies & Hops?

After moving to Indiana to be closer to her parents, Southeast PA native Kristina Mazza missed the deli and hoagie shops she grew up loving in her hometown. Therefore, Kristina and her husband decided to open Hoagies & Hops.

“With bread coming from South Jersey, meat, pickles and chips coming from Philly and the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country we hope to give our new home of Indy a taste of what South East PA comfort food is all about,” Kristina writes on the Hoagies & Hops website.

For the vets

Since 2016, Kristina has hosted this contest as a fun way to bring the community together. Furthermore, she wants to serve Hoosier Heroes. This year, she raised $700 for HVAF!

“This is our way to honor the Veterans that have risked their lives for our freedom,” Kristina said. “HVAF has a wonderful mission to help Veterans obtain and sustain a good life here in Indiana and Hoagies & Hops loves contributing to their cause.”

We know we cannot serve Indy’s veterans without community support. You can join us in the fight against veteran homelessness by making a donation TODAY:

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