Our annual special events raise awareness and funds to end hunger in a variety of creative ways. View our full calendar of upcoming events.
Spring
Commercial Real Estate Awards
Traditionally, the Annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards brings together 2,000 of Chicago’s top real estate professionals to celebrate their industry’s outstanding achievements and support the Food Depository. This year’s Commercial Real Estate Awards took place as a hybrid virtual event on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
The 2020 Virtual Commercial Real Estate Awards raised more than $1,340,000 for local hunger relief.
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.
Since 2010, Baconfest has raised $439,058 to benefit the Food Depository.
Summer
Hunger Walk
For 34 years, our member agencies, including soup kitchens, pantries and shelters, have raised money to support their communities by walking along Chicago’s lakefront. Learn more about our annual Hunger Walk event.
More than 14,000 attendees participated in the 34th Annual Hunger Walk on September 7, 2019.
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. Learn more about Canstruction.
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 to address hunger at the conclusion of the annual FIA Expo.
Since 2008, this event has raised more than $4.1 million for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
