Chicago Food Depository's "Bag Hunger Auction" Helps the Growing Number In Need

By Jacy Wojcik in Food on Oct 23, 2008 8:32PM

Chicago food pantries are running out of food and thanks to our turbulent economy the number of people turning to food pantries for assistance has increased over 30% since last year. Last night the Chicago Food Depository, a non-profit organization that donates food to over 600 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters and to over 500,000 adults and children every year, held its 15th Annual Bag Hunger Auction to expected success.

Chefs from around the Chicago area gathered at the Sheraton Hotel to raise awareness (and money) for the organization. Chef Michael Lachowicz from Restaurant Michael in Winnetka, who participates every year, served a delicious Beef Tenderloin EnCroute- beef tenderloin wrapped in veal mushroom mousse baked in a puff pastry with a truffle foie gras sauce. Not surprisingly, he was the first to run out. Chef Ryan Pitts from RL created our favorite dessert of the evening, a Sweet Potato Flambe Sundae- sautéed sweet potatoes in Meyer’s dark rum, butter, oj, cinnamon, almond extract and a “secret ingredient” over ice vanilla cream.

The early half of the night focused on a silent auction (congrats to whoever beat us for the Kitchen Aid mixer at the last minute) and the latter half of the night was the more entertaining live auction with animated auctioneer, Jim Miller (think livestock fast-talker as opposed to say, Sotheby’s) who prodded the audience to spend their cash with his er, jokes. Apparently, they worked. The guest spot on Check Please went for $800 as did the “behind the scenes tour for ten” of Soldier Field.

The turn-out seemed a little sparse and one chef estimated that there were about half as many people this year than in previous years. The majority cited the economy to blame for the lackluster attendance, which was unfortunate, as everyone there seemed to be having a splendid time.

So did I feel like an ass dining on braised pork belly while others in the community have no food at all? Yeah. I did. And because of this event I'm planning on volunteering in the months to come as the holiday season will bring an even greater demand for both food donations and volunteers. We were told last night that the “only way we can fight hunger is one dollar, one can [of food], one hour of time.” A little bit goes a long way and there are many people in our community that desperately need it. Click here for information on donating food, money or to volunteer your time.

(Photo of Boka's braised pork belly with Moroccan bbq sauce and daikon radish.)