Join Us at an Event

Our annual special events raise awareness and funds to end hunger in a variety of creative ways. View our full calendar of upcoming events.

Summer

Hunger Walk

For 31 years, our member agencies, including soup kitchens, pantries and shelters, have raised money to support their communities by walking along Chicago’s lakefront. 11,527 walkers attended 2016’s walk. Watch a recap video.

The 2017 Hunger Walk will take place in Jackson Park on September 16.

Canstruction

Chicago architects, engineers and construction companies build artistic structures out of canned goods to fight hunger. These structures are showcased in the Merchandise Mart lobby leading up to the Canstruction awards ceremony. Since 2007, Canstruction has contributed 841,320 pounds of food to the Food Depository.

Fall

Chicago Marathon

Runners who would like to make their Chicago Marathon experience more meaningful may raise funds for the Food Depository as part of the Charity Program. Visit the Food Depository’s Charity Team page for more information.

FIA Cares Great Chicago Steak Out

The FIA Cares Great Chicago Steak Out is a dinner event that raises funds and awareness for the fight against hunger at the conclusion of the annual FIA Expo.

Since 2008, this event has raised more than $2.7 million for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Spring

Baconfest Chicago

Baconfest Chicago is a nationally renowned, locally beloved festival dedicated to America’s favorite cured meat: bacon! Chicago’s best chefs concoct and serve brilliant bacon dishes to thousands of passionate bacon lovers. Chefs provide tasting portions of their creative bacon-inspired dishes! A portion of the proceeds from the event, as well as the on-site raffle and food drive, benefits the Food Depository. Purchase tickets for Baconfest 2017.

The 2016 Baconfest raised $50,000 to benefit the Food Depository.

Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner

The Annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner brings together more than 1,850 of Chicago’s top architects, brokers, developers, property managers, interior contractors and design professionals to celebrate their industry’s outstanding achievements and support the Food Depository. The 2017 Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner took place on March 16. See the list of award winners.

The 2017 Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner raised over $1,190,000 for local hunger relief.