“When in Rome ... A Feast of Italian Flavors” raised approximately $100,000 for food banks in Southern Ocean County. The estimated net proceeds from the April 25 themed gourmet dinner and auction have been announced by The Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean, presenter of the event.

The amount raised by the 23rd annual dinner/auction adds to the previous $1,045,000 donated to food banks since 1995. The Mainland at the Holiday Inn in Manahawkin provided the backdrop for a festive, interactive Italian “marketplace” where guests could sample delicacies before sitting down to a served Roman feast created by area restaurant chefs.