Harvest Dinner is GCYC’s marquee annual fundraising celebration—an immersive, joyful evening that showcases the talent, leadership, and creativity of our young people. The entire event is built around their hard work, their voices, and their vision for a brighter future.
Guests are welcomed to Campus with a twilight cocktail hour, where they enjoy vibrant, farm‑fresh small bites and signature cocktails inspired by GCYC’s gardens. From there, youth leaders in the Comer FFA Chapter guide guests on an interactive tour of our rooftop garden and hydroponics lab; offering firsthand stories, insights, and expertise that bring our mission to life in a powerful and personal way.
The evening continues at the GCYC Food Sovereignty Hub, our 1.75‑acre youth‑led farm and learning center. Here, GCYC apprentices collaborate with distinguished Chicago mentor chefs to create a multi‑course, farm‑to‑table dining experience featuring produce grown and harvested by our young people. Each dish highlights their skills, creativity, and commitment to community food leadership.
Harvest Dinner is an inspiring opportunity for supporters to experience the impact of GCYC youth programs up close, celebrate the next generation of leaders, and help fuel the opportunities that allow young people to grow, thrive, and shape lasting change in their communities.