Neighbor News
Tickets on Sale for the House of Bread’s 40th Annual Hunger Banquet
In Person Again at the Franciscan Center at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church
For the first time since 2019, the iconic “Hunger Banquet” hosted by the House of Bread -- the 45-year-old community services organization based in the North End of Hartford – will be held in person, after five years as a drive-through event due to the pandemic.
All are invited to attend the 40th annual fundraiser on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 11:30am-1:30pm at the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford. Guests will be served a simple meal of minestrone soup, bread, water, and an apple.
Tickets are $50 per person, and all proceeds benefit the House of Bread’s food, shelter, and education programs in the North and South Ends of Hartford. Click here to purchase tickets or to make a gift to the House of Bread.
“Since 1985, our Hunger Banquet has always been held on the same day in November -- the second to last Wednesday before Thanksgiving,” said Beth Boyle, Co-Director of the House of Bread. “This year the timing is uncannily perfect, since it coincides with the profound loss of food support from the federal government. We expect to be serving more hungry people at our soup kitchen every day, and every ticket sold will help us to meet this increased demand.”
“We are thrilled that the Hunger Banquet is returning to an in-person format,” added Tom Porell, Co-Director of the House of Bread. “From its inception, the event was meant to provide that sense of community and mutual understanding that comes only when people break bread together. We can’t wait to welcome people back into the Franciscan Center for lunch!”
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The House of Bread opened in February 1980 when Sister Maureen Faenza, CSJ, and Sister Theresa Fonti, CSJ served coffee and day-old doughnuts to 17 men. Today, the non-profit provides food, education, and housing to 1,000 people per day among eight different programs in six different buildings at both ends of the city.
With the imminent loss of SNAP and other state and federal benefits, the House of Bread is bracing for profoundly higher demand at its soup kitchen and from its food-distribution partners. Proceeds from the Hunger Banquet will directly support its ability to continue providing nutritious hot meals to the community. Checks may be sent to House of Bread Development Office, 27 Chestnut Street, Hartford, CT 06120.
