It’s hard to beat ribs, a mess of greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread and homemade cake or pie on a beautiful Saturday night in November. That’s what was officer during the annual Soul Food Dinner hosted by the Rome-Floyd chapter of the NAACP on Saturday night at the Charles C. Parker Center.

In between two-fisted bites Donnie Higley, of Rome, explained that the best soul food plate includes neck bones, turnip greens and black-eyed peas.

“I’m gonna stop right there because you don’t have enough room to write down everything,” Higley said.

The event is one of the two major fundraisers for the local chapter of the of the NAACP each year, according to President Michael Lee.

“It’s one of our best fundraisers,” Lee said. “We use the funds for the expenses needed to run the organization.”

Organizers also indicated the money would be used to support youth programs managed by the NAACP and other social service organizations that help enhance the quality of life for citizens across the community. The Freedom Fund banquet is the other major fundraiser for the NAACP.

Dahlice Malone explained that anything could be soul food when it’s cooked with love.

“It’s the love and attention that goes into it,” Malone said.

Putting a whole lot of love into and just the right amount of seasonings are the key ingredients to good soul food, according to organizer Geri Morrow.

“It’s just good for your soul,” Morrow said.

After the dinner a variety of homemade canned and baked goods were auctioned off to round out the evening.