Bags of Hope 10-Year Anniversary Celebration & Recognition Ceremony

Join us as Bags of Hope celebrates 10 years of serving students and families throughout Will County by providing backpacks of food to children facing food insecurity on weekends. This special evening will commemorate a decade of compassion, community partnerships, and lives changed through the generosity of our supporters. The event will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026 at The Parsonage Events from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Guests will enjoy light appetizers and refreshments while connecting with community leaders, volunteers, donors, educators, and friends who have helped make our mission possible. Throughout the evening, exciting raffles will provide additional opportunities to support Bags of Hope and help ensure that no child goes hungry over the weekend.

The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the 2026 Hope Award, bestowed posthumously in honor of Tom Hernandez. Tom's unwavering generosity, servant leadership, and steadfast commitment to Bags of Hope left a lasting impact on our organization and the countless children and families we serve. His kindness, humility, and willingness to give of his time, talents, and resources embodied the true spirit of community service. Through his actions, Tom inspired others to make a difference, and his legacy of compassion will continue to influence our mission for years to come. We are honored to present the Hope Award to the Hernandez family in recognition of Tom's extraordinary life and enduring commitment to helping others.

We invite you to celebrate this important milestone with us as we reflect on the past ten years, recognize those who have made our mission possible, and look forward to continuing to provide hope—one backpack at a time.

Together, we are Feeding Tomorrow's Minds, Today.