Auction raises funds for homeless shelters and food pantries

The Fifth Annual Hunger and Homelessness Benefit Auction raised more than $20,000 for New Haven homeless shelters and food pantries. Proceeds from the Nov. 21 event were donated to Life Haven, FISH of Greater New Haven, Loaves and Fishes, Rachel's Table, the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen and the Community Health Care Van. Some noteworthy bids: Last minute negotiating and $500 dollars bought Dean David A. Kessler, M.D., and Director of Admissions Lynne Wootton parts in the second-year show. For $1,250 six students will spend a long weekend in the Martha's Vineyard summer home of Drs. Keith Joiner and Jo Ellen Schweinle. Four students, their wallets $1,100 lighter, will tour the White House Oval Office and meet with U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman. One lucky winner will have her dog jogged (yes, jogged) five times for a mere $20. Strangely, no one bid on the "Fish Tank Servicing," in which fish and tank were not included. — Gregory Raskin, Class of 1998