Wealthy Developer Treats Group of 50 Homeless People to a Night They Won't Soon Forget

A group of 50 homeless people were reportedly treated to a four-course meal earlier this week, thanks to a generous Ohio developer who asked friends and family to raise money for the homeless instead of giving him gifts on his 42nd birthday.

Joel Testa, a wealthy developer and co-owner of a four-star restaurant in Akron, Ohio, told the Akron Beacon Journal that he used donations given to him for his birthday to help pay for the cost of the dinner.

“Generally, people are afraid of the homeless. The homeless are not lepers. Homelessness can happen to anyone,” he told the newspaper.

(Image source: Shutterstock) 

The fancy meal reportedly included spinach quiche salad, potato leek soup, braised beef short ribs and a chocolate mousse desert. The homeless diners were then also offered seconds and leftovers for takeout, the Journal reports.

Testa’s daughter and her scout troop also reportedly knitted scarves for the homeless diners and gave them out.

There are apparently nearly two times as many homeless people as there are shelter beds in Akron. Testa is trying to combat the problem by developing a 60-unit apartment building for veterans, homeless and disabled individuals, Gawker points out.

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