Get ready for a ‘Taste’

United Way food fundraiser scheduled for Wednesday

WINTERSVILLE -- A crowd-favorite fundraiser for the United Way of Jefferson County offers a number of newbies and food trucks to this year's Taste of Jefferson County, absent from the social calendar the past two years because of pandemic restrictions.

That makes "Welcome Back to the Taste of the County" an appropriate theme for the event set for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 6 at the St. Florian Event Center, 286 Luray Drive, Wintersville.

The evening features a casual, conversational environment where patrons can relax, sample local foods and desserts and participate in other on-site fundraisers -- all while ultimately helping area residents in need as proceeds benefit 13 United Way-member agencies with varied missions.

Laura Rauch, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, and Tami Cashioli, United Way finance director, met with some of the vendors Wednesday morning at St. Florian Event Center to review details.

Returning participants include the Laurels of Steubenville, Downtown Bakery, Undo's Catering, Margaret's Cafe, A Touch of Elegance and Ohio Valley Sno.

First-time participants are Bennigans, Brooklyn Bagel, Yorkville Bakery, Pastaio, Kathy's Little Kitchen and Miss Brenda's Cafe with a food truck presence by Rusty Bull Taco Co., 740BBQ and Food on Da'Hill. Any food trucks will be in the bay area of St. Florian.

Tickets are $35 per person and are available a number of ways. They can be bought online at https://www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/TasteofJeffersonCounty; by calling the United Way office at (740) 284-9000 or stopping there at 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville; or by purchasing them at the door the evening of the event.

"We have a lot of new people, and we're very excited for next Wednesday," Rauch said. "We are still looking for vendors to come, so anybody who would like to come and share their samples with the people of Jefferson County, that would be fantastic. And we're also looking for people to attend."

Rauch will be attending her first Taste of the County since coming on board as executive director of the United Way in July 2020. The 2020 and 2021 events weren't held of COVID-19 restrictions. Normally it's held in the fall.

Money generated will go toward the 2022 overall campaign to raise $350,000 this year. Agencies supported are A Caring Place, Child Advocacy Center; A Child's Place CASA Ltd; ALIVE; Jefferson County Community Action Council; Smithfield Friends Church Food Pantry; St. Joseph Church W.E.B.A. Food Pantry; Toronto Services Committee: United Sole; 2-1-1 Information and Referral; American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter; Vagabond Missions; Family Recovery Center; Ohio Valley Youth Network, Sycamore Youth Center; Coleman Professional Services, Visitation Center; Ohio Valley Health Center; Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Family and Community Services; and Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

"It's real important to help fund those agencies so they can help others in dire need across Jefferson County," Rauch said previously, noting the member agencies supported help with a variety of needs, including food, health and wellness, financial stability and education, for example.

In addition to food, Taste of the County includes a cash bar, door prizes, a Chinese auction and an opportunity for patrons to vote for the vendor with the "Best Entree," "Best Dessert" and "Best Booth Display."

In 2019, best entree honors went to the Laurels of Steubenville, a distinction Jamie Maley looks to retain.

"We're going to repeat our success. We always do the roast beef with the bacon-onion marmalade, a side of Gouda. This year we're going to add bearnaise sauce as well, and then we're going to do our famous ribs," Maley said. "A lot of our residents or guests who come to us have used the United Way along the way in their life, so it's kind of nice to have that communication with other families who have used the United Way and now they're at the Laurels," she said.

Added Kathryn Daubenmeyer, also from the Laurels, "It's always nice to be known for our actual food we serve to our guests, that they're actually getting high quality entrees every day."

Another fundraising element that evening involves special jewelry pieces donated by Chip Warren who, along with his wife, Chris, have been loyal supporters of the fundraiser. "We will have three pieces of jewelry totaling around $4,200," he said of the donations for special drawings. Tickets for those will be $10. The pieces include an 18-karat gold diamond and blue topaz ring and a one-of-a-kind diamond pendant.

"To me, the United Way is the most important charity practically in the county. It seems like it's very diversified, and the money goes to 13 agencies. I think it's well spread out and well thought out where the money goes," he said.

Rikki Kamarados of the Downtown Bakery in Steubenville is another longtime participant. "It's a fantastic charity," she said. "We've been doing it for so many years, and my employees love coming out and doing it and doing their part, too. That's a good thing."

Several newcomers shared what they'll bring and why it's important to them to participate.

Mark Materniak, vice president of food and beverage for Bennigan's and Brooklyn Bagel at Franciscan Square, said he has been a part of the Taste of the County through various restaurants in the past.

"Bennigans will be bringing our famous Monte Cristo sandwiches at our booth along with some chicken tenders and sauces. With Brooklyn Bagel, we will be bringing our flavored bagels and homemade flavored cream cheeses," he said.

"I think it's just important to be a part of the community," Materniak added. "United Way has been a part of this community for a long time, so it's just our way of giving back and just supporting the people who support us."

Jared George of 740BBQ in Steubenville will have a food truck. "It's a 13 1/2-foot smoker pull-behind. I do all wood-fire smoked meats and sides. I do everything from scratch. I make all my own barbecue sauces, all my own dry rubs."

On being part of the event, George said, "I love being involved in the community. I'm really excited about it."

Newbie Priscilla Cionni of Yorkville Bakery is looking forward to it also. "We like to donate any time we can and work with charities," she said. "We haven't finalized yet. but we'll be doing four or five different items to taste."

Noah Smith, representing Rusty Bull Taco Co., said the business got recruited through the United Way. "We have heard about this event before, and we're excited to be a part of it this year. We offer a modern twist on traditional style tacos -- beef, chicken, pork, spicy beef -- and they're all topped with fresh ingredients and house-made sauces and all the works," Smith said.

Taste of Jefferson County marked its 25th anniversary in 2019.