"Sold!" announced the auctioneer, as one of the 200 available prize packages was claimed for $1,400. The 19th annual Feast for the Streets was in full swing Wednesday night, with more than 700 participants gathering for food, wine, prizes and a silent auction.

Now in its 40th year, Francis House put together the yearly fundraiser, with one simple goal:

"To break $90,000," said Program Director Forrest Reed.  Last year, the event raised $88,000, all of which is used directly on clients of Francis House.

The center, located on C Street downtown, sees around 20,000 - 30,000 clients per year, or 1,600 monthly, providing counseling and resources for needy families and individuals. This year, Francis House has seen a 30 percent increase in clients, likely due to the current economic climate.

With a budget of about $633,000 and seven paid employees, four of which are part-time, Francis House relies heavily on community volunteers. On hand to help during the Feast for the Streets event were 60 volunteers, not including the 40 vendors from local restaurants and catering businesses including New Roma Bakery, Tony's Fine Foods, Cupcake Craving, and Pronto's.

For some, the exposure outweighs the cost. "It's a win-win for me," said Jeremy White, director of catering and chef for Event Architects Catering. In some cases, it can cost anywhere from $350 to $500 for businesses to supply the food and manpower for a fundraising event. However, "for someone who works with food, it's an opportunity to share (my craft) with people in an effort to curb hunger," he said.

Besides the silent auction and raffle, Francis House took the time to present a special award to Tina Reynolds to appreciate her contributions in the fight to end homelessness.  Reynolds is a Safe Ground board member, and owner of Uptown Studios, a website development and design firm. Uptown Studios designed and donated the website for Safe Ground, a campaign to find space for the homeless.

"Anytime we get a group of like-minded people together to raise awareness, and have some of the homeless here too, it diffuses (fear)," Reynolds said. She said while people are typically afraid of the homeless, she chooses to work with them "because of their passion and hard work." Reynolds was pleasantly surprised at being recognized, stating there were so many people working toward assisting the homeless. "Everyone agrees we need to do something," she said, "but no one will offer up any land."

The annual fundraiser, which has been held at the Scottish Rite Center for the last four years, began in a church basement. Expanding each year, Francis House was able to move the Feast for the Streets, its biggest fundraiser of the year, to the new, larger location.

"Francis House is the real deal," Reed said. "(Of 2,000 like agencies) we're No. 5." The center, supported by 17 church congregations, is one of the oldest known assistance and resource centers. The congregation contributes around 20 percent of the annual needs, while fundraising events fill the remaining gap.

"It's a rarity for nonprofits to last (as long as Francis House has)," Executive Director Gregory Bunker said. "The people here tonight are the reason." Bunker pointed out that even in a down economy, people were still able to find ways to donate, that individuals could still put others' needs before their own. "(The 700 guests) are evidence of that," he said.

To volunteer with Francis House, visit www.francishouse.info for more information.