Friends In Deed will host its annual Cooking for a Cause fundraising event on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery, located at 40 West Green Street in Pasadena. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization’s Food Pantry, the largest food bank in Pasadena.
The culinary competition will feature local aspiring chefs preparing appetizers and entrées using pantry staples and mystery ingredients sourced from the Food Pantry. The format is designed to reflect the real-life challenges faced by clients who rely on limited ingredients to prepare nutritious meals. A panel of professional chefs will judge the dishes based on flavor, presentation and creativity, and crown the 2025 Cooking for a Cause champion.
The event comes as Friends In Deed reports record demand for food assistance. In July, the Food Pantry served more than 750 households in a single week — a milestone attributed to inflation and rising living costs.
Tickets start at $250 and include tastings and access to the live competition. The event will also be livestreamed online for free.
In conjunction with Hunger Action Month, Friends In Deed is launching a crowdfunding challenge to raise $10,000 for pantry supplies. Supporters are encouraged to donate $63 — the cost of feeding a family of four for one week.
“Whether you’re in the audience cheering on your favorite chef team or giving online from home, your support makes a direct impact,” said Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater, CEO of Friends In Deed. “Cooking for a Cause not only brings our community together for an unforgettable night, but it also helps us meet the urgent and growing demand for food assistance.”
Founded in 1894, Friends In Deed operates five core programs: The Women’s Room, Street Outreach and Housing, Bad Weather Shelter, Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance, and the Food Pantry. The organization spotlights dignity, compassion and inclusivity in its approach to serving vulnerable populations.
Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery, 40 West Green Street, Pasadena. For more visit https://friendsindeedpas.org/
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