Smoke Out Hunger 2023

Help Iowans experiencing hunger by joining Food Bank of Iowa for Smoke Out Hunger on Sunday, July 30, at Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit Food Bank of Iowa’s work to end hunger in Iowa! Guests ages 6-20 have a reduced-price ticket, and kids 5 and under get in free. Families (2 adults, 2 kids) can purchase a Family Four-Pack - a $25 savings!

This annual, family-friendly Sunday afternoon event welcomes people of all ages to enjoy all-you-care-to-eat barbecue prepared by central Iowa chefs, craft beer, desserts, games and live music. Have fun with your entire family while helping another Iowa family in need.

Smoke Out Hunger is proudly presented by Nationwide.

FOOD VENDORS:

• Fresh Café & Market - Smoked veggies with Watermelon BBQ sauce and Smoked Cashew Mac n’ Cheese – all vegan and gluten-free
• Fuzzy's Taco Shop - Mini Nachos with shredded cheddar and feta cheeses, queso, pico de gallo and white garlic sauce. Topped with choice of carnitas, chicken or meatless and sauce drizzle
• Gateway Market - Vegan jackfruit and BBQ pork belly sliders
• Jethro's BBQ - Smoked ribeye sandwich with Wiz and house bacon
• Kona Ice – Shaved ice with lots of flavor choices
  
• Matty Mack's - Smoked chicken street taco with white BBQ sauce slaw
• Palms Caribbean Cuisine - Jerk pork with house sauce
• Rolling Smoke BBQue - Pulled pork, pulled chicken and cornbread. Our 2022 People's Choice winner!
• Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream – rolled ice cream in a variety of flavors
• Uncle Wendell's BBQ - Pulled pork and cucumber salad
• Warehouse Barbeque - Cubeacca sliders (chopped brisket, queso, fresh jalapeno and Huck's Heat sauce)
• Whatcha Smokin' - Iowa BBQ Crunch Taco and Cheesy Potatoes

ENTERTAINMENT:

• Creations with a Twist: Balloon artist Daniel Poe creates imaginative balloon sculptures that thrill people of all ages!
• Iowa League of Heroes: take a photo with one of our special guests - the Dark Knight, Spiderman, Wanda Maximoff and The Flash!
• Randy Burk and the Prisoners: Steeped in the rich tradition of Americana artists before him like Steve Earle, Johnny Cash and Dave Alvin, Randy Burk creates music that is at once exciting and familiar, honest and soulful, fearless and introspective.
• Yard Game Zone with Raegan Keith, National American Miss Iowa Teen!

Purchase your tickets today -- prices go up $10 on the day of the event!