With colder weather ahead, I’ve been thinking about those not fortunate enough to eat well or enjoy the simple things in life that we all take for granted. Luckily, Beijing is a booming capital of foodies who are eating for the greater good. And the growing number of charity dinner events in the city aren’t snobby, black-tie affairs where you have to donate millions—everyone can participate and every bit helps.

This past August, I volunteered to cook at The Hutong for a Chi Fan for Charity dinner along with restaurant consultant Chef Jeff Powell, who created a Mexican fusion menu using local ingredients. I was responsible for the Chinese mushroom and goat cheese quesadillas, and the Chinese baby cucumber taco, which were huge hits. Organizer Michael Crain has watched his project grow more than two-fold, with 40 restaurants participating in Chi Fan for Charity this year. In addition to the charitable aspect, the events are also exciting from a culinary perspective. “CFFC leaves the menu to the chef,” says Crain. “More than a few of the chefs have told me how much they love the evening because it gives them a chance to showcase some of the dishes they do best and also experiment a little with new dishes they have developed.” On November 5, CFFC hosts dinners at 40 Beijing restaurants, including Bei, Capital M and Alameda. Tickets range ¥500- ¥1,500.

Beijing Community Dinners keeps it more local, with all dinners held at Chinese restaurants. These meals raise money for charities and various social causes such as water shortages and food crises. The dinners are just ¥50 a head, and are attended by people from all walks of life, from university students to lawyers. “We keep it very grassroots so that anyone can enjoy a great meal and still be able to donate to the same cause,” says member Rex Chen. One of their favorites is the Yunnan provincial restaurant Yunnan Binguan, where they often host dinners.

I recently went to a BJFoodies dinner which raised ¥4,000 for A Bridge for Children, a charity supporting underprivileged children. The group meets once a month at different restaurants to support various charities. ¥100 per person includes numerous courses and one complimentary drink. These dinners are a great way to explore Beijing’s ever-growing food scene, and gave me my first taste of the recently opened Spice Factory, where I discovered a delicious morning glory dish.

With opportunities to explore the Beijing dining scene and sample new, innovative dishes, these charity meals satisfy both the heart and the appetite.