Nearly $15,000 for food bank

The first-ever Issaquah Harvest Dance last week met and exceeded the organizers’ fundraising goals. After about 200 tickets were presold, chair Bill Werner said he and other organizers guessed that perhaps 250 people would show up.

The first-ever Issaquah Harvest Dance last week met and exceeded the organizers’ fundraising goals. After about 200 tickets were presold, chair Bill Werner said he and other organizers guessed that perhaps 250 people would show up.

They were wrong.

By the end of the night, about 375 community members showed up to share food, dance together and help support the Issaquah Food Bank/Issaquah Valley Community Services.

All told, the event raised about $14,700. The goal was $12,000-$15,000.

Werner was ecstatic, and noted that nearly all the comments were favorable. The event ran out of food due to the high number of unexpected attendees. But, they ordered pizzas. The hottest auction item was a guitar, autographed by the Ventures, which went for $1,100.

Entertainment was provided by the Astrocats and Magnolia Road. Food vendors included Sherm’s BBQ Bistro, Sweet Addition, Rogue Brewhouse, Lombardi’s and Amante Pizza and Pasta.

Mail donations to Issaquah Valley Community Services, P.O. Box 652, Issaquah, WA 98027. Or, for more information about the food bank or volunteering, visit www.issaquahfoodbank.org.