Individuals looking for unique ways to celebrate St Patrick's Day on Saturday (March 17th) may want to consider raising money for charity by raffling food hampers.

A church group in the US did just that with various gift baskets offered as prizes at a special dinner dance held to mark the traditional Irish occasion, the Romeoville Patch reports.

The St Andrew the Apostle Knights of Columbus Bishop Roger Kaffer Council held its third annual St Patrick's Day event in order to raise funds for outreach organisations.

Local businesses donated hampers that were included in the raffle, while several bagpipers joined a band in entertaining the attendees.

Many of those who took part in the sold-out event arrived dressed in green, as others donned shamrock-style hats in reference to the popular Irish celebration.

St Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, with the religious figure remembered across the globe every March 17th.