Fun food fundraising ideas
Are you interested in exploring fun and engaging fundraising ideas focused on food? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite food fundraisers to help you jumpstart your efforts and start making a difference today. When you fundraise for St. Jude, you make an impact for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases around the world.
Baking or cooking contest
Consider this classic fundraising idea to help spark creativity and support your favorite causes. Choose a simple food item that can be prepared in various ways, for example, pie or chili. Participants can make a donation to enter and show up with their version of a classic dish. Winners can receive a prize based on categories such as most unique, spiciest, sweetest, etc.
Build-your-own-pizza party
A build-your-own-pizza party is a great way to involve a variety of ages in the fun of fundraising. Participants can make a donation to decorate their pizza with as many toppings as they like. Once the pizzas are prepared, everyone., everyone can sit down to enjoy their creations while learning a little bit more about St. Jude and the impact their donations can make.
Food truck festival
Food truck festivals can be a great tool for fundraising as they allow food options of every kind to be incorporated, ultimately expanding the appeal to a larger group of people. Consider reaching out to local food truck owners and discussing a charity-focused partnership that benefits both St. Jude and their business. Owners can agree to donate a certain percentage of proceeds from the festival, and in return, they receive promotion and brand recognition for participating!
International food fair
An international food fair is another great way to incorporate food representing every region around the world while increasing the pool of interest in your fundraising event. Participants can volunteer to showcase their favorite foods. Fairgoers can make a donation to sample dishes and proceeds will be donated to St. Jude.
Ice cream social
An old-fashioned ice cream social is a simple and effective way to fundraise for the causes close to your heart. Guests can make a donation for ice cream and their choice of a few toppings. Once served, participants can sit and enjoy their ice cream in the company of others who are invested in helping the kids at St. Jude.
Mystery dinner theater
A mystery dinner theater event is a fun and engaging way to bring people together for a greater purpose. Gather friends and family who might be interested in performing to support St. Jude, plan a simple meal and advertise your event online. Attendees can donate for entry and enjoy a night of mystery, fun and food!
Pie-eating contest
Looking for a lighthearted, easy food fundraiser? Consider a pie-eating contest. Participants can make a donation to enter and eat their “filling” of homemade pies. The person to eat the most pie within the allotted time wins!
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St. Jude gives kids with cancer the chance they deserve
Faith was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2019 at 10 years old. The cancer, called Ewing sarcoma, was in her leg and pelvis, and surgery was not an option.
But Faith lived up to her name. “I knew I was going to get through it,” she said. “There’s a lot of people that have gone through this and look at them now. I got this.”
At St. Jude, Faith underwent chemotherapy and proton therapy, keeping a positive attitude even when it was tough. Today, she is cancer free.
Make a difference for the children of St. Jude today
Because of your support, we can provide children with cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families. Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors. Join us, and be part of our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®