Somehow, 33 West Seattle food and beverage venders, a bevy of belly dancers, a hungry crowd, and a large cardboard check all fit into the Hall at Fauntleroy for the Taste of West Seattle Thursday night, May 20. All proceeds, including the check donated by the Metropolitan Market for $6,107.47 went to the West Seattle Helpline.

According to the West Seattle Helpline's Website, "The West Seattle Helpline is a non-profit social service agency dedicated to helping members of the West Seattle community. We provide information, referrals, and limited financial assistance to help working families in need. We strive toward a strong community of "neighbors helping neighbors."

"What wonderful participants we have in the West Seattle area that constantly give to the West Seattle Helpline," said its executive director, Anna Marie Fern. "You can see the generosity and it is expressed again and again. They want people to realize the camaraderie and feeling we have in West Seattle.

Participants included Adriene Rice and her belly-dance group, Troupe Hipnotica. Restaurants and pubs included:

Bakery Nouveau
Beveridge Place Pub
Bin 41
Blue Willow Catering & Luncheonette
The Bohemian
Cafè Revo
Charleston Street Cafè & Chowder
Cupcake Royale
Duke's Chowder House
Eats Market Cafe
Elliott Bay Brewery
Endolyne Joe's
Freshy's
Full Tilt Ice Cream
Fresh Bistro by Herban Feast
Hotwire Coffee
Husky Deli
Kokoras Greek Grill
Lee's Asian Restaurant
Metropolitan Market
Porterhouse
Prost West Seattle
Red Star Pizza
Slices on Alki
Shoofly Pie Company
Skylark Cafe & Club
Spring Hill Restaurant
Sugar Rush Baking Company
The Swinery
Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes Catering
West 5
West Seattle Cellars
Wing Dome