The Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center raised more than $1.55 million for scholarships and funds that will go toward community members in need through community donations at its annual Eat. Bid. Laugh! event.

“It is amazing to see the unbridled generosity of spirit from Sid Jacobson JCC families and members of our community, who make it a priority to come out for this wonderful event year after year,” David Levy, JCC board member and event co-chair, said. “We are so blessed to have so many wonderful participating restaurants and sponsors to ensure Eat. Bid. Laugh! is fun and filling while raising funds necessary to ensure Camp Kehilla and BASICS Scholarships can continue to thrive and be resources for so many families in need.”

The Sid Jacobson JCC event at the Garden City Hotel drew in a crowd of more than 500 members of the Jewish community center, celebrating an annual tradition that has been held over the past 25 years.

Hundreds of Long Islanders came to laugh at a performance by comedian Jim Gaffigan, enjoy dozens of local restaurants’ cuisines and donate to the Kehilla Scholarships and the JCC’s Sheldon A. Sinett BASICS Fund.

The Kehilla Scholarships go toward children up through young adults with special needs so they can attend the JCC’s Camp Kehilla at Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Wheatley Heights.

BASICS is an incubator fund designated for social service programs developed by the Sid Jacobson JCC. Programs include the JCC’s Camp Kehilla, Nancy Marks Cancer Wellness Center, Program Without Walls and Community Needs Bank.

Food was provided by 25 local restaurants, which included Kyma, Louie’s Prime Steak and Seafood, Dirty Taco and Tequila, La Bussola and Opus Mediterranean Steakhouse.

“The months of hard work and dedication by our staff and volunteers did not go unnoticed and made the entire evening go seamlessly,” Levy said.