Supersized Sunday supper raises money for Hurricane Matthew victims

In the south, Sunday’s have always been especially sacred and two words that can strike a chord in the southern soul are Sunday supper. Sunday afternoon, the tables stretched for two blocks along Fayetteville Street.

The event was planned by employees at Eckel and Vaughan and Kohn Associates, who had the idea to get local restaurants involved in fixing a big barbeque supper in the middle of Raleigh. The meal would cost $20 per plate and all the profits were sent east to areas most affected by Hurricane Matthew.

“In Kinston, we still have people that are hurting, businesses that still aren’t open, families that are still displaced,” said Kinston Mayor B.J. Murphy. “The generosity of the citizens of the Triangle have really just poured their heart and soul by showing compassion to eastern North Carolina.”

The money will also help those in Windsor, which saw its downtown area flooded twice in two weeks.

“Obviously, we haven’t been forgotten, which means a lot. It’s the Tar Heel State coming together. It’s very important for Windsor to come and say thank you,” said Windsor Commissioner Cathy Wilson.

Most of the participants who lined up for barbeque and Brunswick stew were from the Triangle, including Bill Albert and his wife, Bess.

“You know, water is so important to us, but then it can be so damaging. We just have to pull together as a community and help each other out,” Albert said.