Food obviously fills up your stomach, but it should also fill your soul. This week, learn about Mexican heritage through traditional cuisine in Pilsen, or set yourself on a path to healing with a special dinner buffet menu in honor of the release of the film, Eat, Pray, Love. Once you’ve had your fill, don’t forget to give back - September is National Hunger Action Month, so donate a box of cereal or two.

photo by avlxyz on Flickr licensed under Creative Commons

Buen Provecho Pilsen Get a taste of Pilsen’s historical community while celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence on Thursday, September 16 during Buen Provecho Pilsen. The event, which will take place along 18th Street in the heart of Pilsen’s commercial district, will feature signature dishes from over 20 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the area from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.eighteenthstreet.org, and tickets at the door are $30.

Eat, Pray, Love Menu at Corner Cooks Indulge yourself in a vacation for your palate in honor of the release of Eat, Pray, Love the movie at Corner Cooks in Winnetka on Thursday, September 16. The dinner buffet/Girls Night Out event, which costs $30 and will begin at 6:30 p.m., will feature a menu of dishes from Italy, India and Indonesia—the countries that the main character in the film (played by Julia Roberts) traveled to. Enjoy dishes such as margherita pizza with a thin Neopolitan crust, Indonesian chicken satay and mini grilled shrimp skewers with fiery lemongrass-chili sambal, and finish it all off with ‘Baci’ style hazelnut and chocolate mousse cups to put an end to a fulfilling night. Corner Cooks is located at 501 Chestnut Street in Winnetka.

Rockit Bar & Grill’s WingIT Football Special As you’re preparing for Fall and for football season, Rockit Bar & Grill is preparing for WingIT, a new wings special in which Chef James Gottwald will cook up a different style of chicken wings for every day of the work week starting this Monday. Since Rockit Bar & Grill, whose two locations are in River North (22 West Hubbard) and in Wrigleyville (3700 North Clark) is the official home of University of Michigan football, it will also offer Saturday food and drink specials such as $6 sweet potato fries, chili mac and more and $5 margaritas in honor of game days.

National Hunger Action Month Cereal Drive Everyone enjoys a good meal, and September is the time to give back to those in need. In honor of it being National Hunger Action Month, Panera Bread locations throughout Chicagoland are challenging Chicagoans to collectively donate 10,000 boxes of cereal to local food banks. To donate, stop by a Panera Bread location between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. from September 17-19 and become a part of the 3rd Annual Cereal Drive to Help Fight Hunger. ‚ People who donate one or more boxes of cereal will receive a coupon for one complimentary grilled breakfast sandwich. - Samantha Rollins