More than two decades after raising $1,109 for the Children's Hospital Foundation, Crown Hill's Thai Siam is still using its cuisine to raise money for charities at home and abroad. At its 23rd Anniversary Benefit Dinner Aug. 22, the restaurant is set to eclipse the $250,000 mark in total donations to the less fortunate.

When Thai Siam celebrated its first anniversary in 1988, owner Nancy Bhokayasupatt decided against raffling off a trip for two. Instead, she donated the dinner's proceeds to the Children's Hospital Foundation, starting the tradition that continues in 2010.

Reaching out to people is a great service, and as a restaurant, Thai Siam has the resources to do it, Bhokayasupatt told the Ballard News-Tribune in 2007.

Since 1988, Thai Siam, located at 8305 15th Ave. N.W., has raised more than $247,000 for charities, such as Union Gospel Mission, North Seattle Boys & Girls Club, the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, the American Red Cross, the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research and the School for the Handicapped in Thailand.

The restaurant set a record last year when it raised $27,722.86 for Neighborcare Health, Union Gospel Mission and the School for the Cripple and Blind Children in Thailand,

This year's benefit dinner takes place from noon to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 22 and will feature traditional Thai music and dancers and local artists. Dinner costs $25 per person for adults and $6 for children under 12.

All proceeds from this year's dinner will go to Neighborcare Health, Union Gospel Mission and the Epilepsy Foundation in Thailand.

In addition to its annual benefit dinner, Thai Siam has been serving meals to homeless people on the streets and in shelters and missions for 20 years.

"At this time and at other times when the economy is not so good, people need some help," Bhokayasupatt said after serving meals at Union Gospel Mission earlier this year.