Three businesses were on the menu for Thursday night’s Hillsborough Street Progressive Dinner, which raised funds for the Healing Place of Wake County.
Organized by Student Government, participants in the dinner ate courses at Jasmin Bistro, Red, Hot and Blue and Locopops throughout the night. Mitch Danforth, a senior in civil engineering who helped plan the event, said he’s been a part of its organization each year.
“This is an annual event that has a three-fold purpose,” he said. “It gives students exposure to new local businesses, it helps raise awareness about homelessness on Hillsborough Street and to help the Healing Place.”
The Healing Place of Wake County is a nonprofit that gives shelter to the homeless indiscriminately, Danforth said.
Many homeless shelters do not admit people who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he said. Also, unlike many other homeless shelters, he said the Healing Place helps the homeless move back into society after receiving help.
Joseph Davis, a junior in business management, said he enjoyed the dinner.
“The food was awesome and it’s cool to have three new businesses on Hillsborough,” he said.
Bradley Smith, a sophomore in parks, recreation and tourism management, said the dinner was for a good cause.
“We need more awareness about homelessness, especially on Hillsborough Street, and this was an awesome way to raise money and have a great time doing it,” Smith said.