Good food, good music, and good friends are usually the keys to a great party.

Now here’s one more: helping a good cause.

The second Nosh on the Nansemond, a “tasteful sampling of Suffolk,” will be held Friday, from 5-10 p.m., Sept. 8, at the Constant’s Marina at the Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center. Twelve restaurateurs from all over Suffolk will serve up their finest fare to the 1,500 lucky people who get tickets.

The price is only $20, every dime of which goes to the United Way’s South Hampton Roads campaign, which benefits more than 70 agencies in the area.

Tom Powell, chairman of publicity for this year’s Nosh on the Nansemond, emphasized that ticket holders, restaurant participants, and the United Way alike will all benefit from the event.

“It’s an intimate, very classy event,” he said about the social aspect of the gathering.

He believes everybody will love the setting, and layout, which has been changed from last year’s introductory event in order to make the atmosphere more inviting and intimate. In addition, he said, “nowhere can you pay $20 and get all that Suffolk has to offer.”

Patrons will be able to sample various foods throughout the evening, while enjoying socializing with old friends and new acquaintances.

The restaurants also benefit from the charity event.

“The restaurants love it because we’re not charging them to set up,” Powell said.

“Some of them are new restaurants, without much advertising budget.”

Most of last year’s restaurants are returning, along with a few new ones.

They will offer a variety of foods to satisfy the public’s palettes, and will have the opportunity to draw a larger clientele base to their establishments.

But most of all, Nosh on the Nansemond benefits the United Way and the agencies it serves.

“Every dime goes to the United Way,” Powell said.

“This is a great event, and we’ll take care of the ticket holders and the restaurants, but the real beneficiary is the United Way.”

He added that the event was helped by the generosity of many people and agencies.

“The restaurants aren’t charging us for the food; the sponsors are helping us to offset the cost; and, of course, everyone who buys a ticket will be contributing $20 to the United Way.”

The Nosh on the Nansemond is a wrap-up of the regional Day of Caring, when United Way volunteers will be painting fences, mending decks, planting flowers, and doing other caring acts all over Hampton Roads.

Powell hopes that Nosh will fulfill the need of funds for United Way volunteers to continue caring and donating of their time and resources to help others.

“For years, the United Way ran off of employee campaigns at large businesses,” Powell said.

“Now, we are seeing those numbers beginning to dwindle. The idea was to create an event from which the whole community could benefit, both immediately and in the future.”

Besides the great food and social environment, the Michael Clark Band will provide musical entertainment.

“We have to create new and fun things,” Powell said.

“If we’re going to appeal to people, we’re going to satisfy their need for entertainment.

“People will come for the food and to rub shoulders, but the important part is that they’re helping the United Way.”