With the holidays quickly approaching, charitable events are in full swing around Little Rock. Fortunately, many of our area restaurant owners and/or chefs, along with small food/drink business owners are playing a integral part in helping to ensure memorable and successful events.

Here’s a rundown of upcoming events:

1. Come Celebrate the 25th Annual Silent Sunday this Sunday, October 26th from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center. “Sponsored by the Central Arkansas Independent Restaurant Operators, Silent Sunday has become one of the most anticipated fall events in central Arkansas. All the proceeds from this exciting event go directly to technology programs at the Arkansas School for the Deaf. Again this year, Central Arkansas’ best independent restaurants will bring their signature dishes to form the biggest tasting buffet in Arkansas. With just one ticket you can sample delicious dishes from each of our participating restaurants.” Advance tickets are $25 for adults ($30 at the door) and $12 for kids 6-12.

2. Central Arkansas Signature Chefs Auction will be held Tuesday, October 28th (6 p.m.) at the Wally Allen Ballroom inside the Statehouse Convention Center. “Supporters will enjoy a variety of wines, music, culinary offerings from many of Little Rock’s top restaurants, and premiere live and silent auctions with unique items. There will also be a Fund the Mission component that allows our guests to donate directly to our mission. Proceeds raised by Signature Chefs Auction directly benefit the local chapter of March of Dimes enabling the funding of local research grants, community services, education and advocacy to help improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality everywhere.” And rumor has it Sally Mengel of Loblolly Creamery will be providing a trio of mini ice cream sammies for the event! For ticket information, please click here.

3. Youth Home’s newest annual event, The Next Course, will be held in the Great Hall of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library on October 30th. A wine reception begins at 6 p.m. and the first course will be served at 7 p.m. “The Next Course is a unique and fresh take on the typical fundraiser in Little Rock. Executive Chefs Stephen Burrow from Clinton Presidential Center and Shane Henderson from Ben E. Keith, along with Clinton Presidential Center sous and pastry chefs, will lead guests in an instructional culinary experience, course by course. Wine will be served with dinner; seating is limited to 192. Individual tickets are $125, sponsorship starts at $1500. All of the proceeds from this evening will be used to purchase, repair, and update kitchen equipment for the residential and day treatment campus located on Colonel Glenn Road. The kitchen prepares over 114,000 meals per year.”

4. The Arkansas Gladney Family Association will host Raise A Glass for Gladney on Thursday, November 6th at the Arkansas Arts Center (6-9 p.m.), a wine tasting and live auction benefitting the Gladney Fund. You can also expect cupcakes provided by Kelly Marks of Sweet Love. Tickets are $75 each.

5. South on Main’s owner/chef Matt Bell teams up with four other chefs, including Felicia Suzanne of Felicia Suzanne’s in Memphis, Travis McConnell of Butcher & Public, Jeff Owens of Ciao Baci and Kelli Marks of Sweet Love to host a multi-course dinner, benefitting No Kid Hungry on November 10th at South on Main. Reception starts at 6 p.m. and features cocktails from David Burnette of South on Main and Lee Edwards of Yellow Rocket Concepts. Funds raised will support No Kid Hungry’s efforts in Arkansas. Tickets are $150 each, with a variety of packages, as well as sponsorships opportunities available.