COMMUNITY ATTENDS TASTE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY — Last year’s Taste of Jefferson County saw hundreds of Ohio Valley residents come together in support of the United Way of Jefferson County. This year’s event is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville. The theme will be Halloween. Proceeds from the nonprofit’s largest fundraising night of the year will go to support its 11 member agencies. -- Julie Stenger

WINTERSVILLE — How many of us have been afraid to try a menu item for fear we will not like it?

How many of us have wished we were allowed to sample a dish prior to making a purchase?

How many of us have walked into a local bakery, hoping the person on the other side of the counter would offer us a complimentary pastry as we browse the offerings in their display case?

Instances such as these are a few examples of what some area residents wish would be offered by local eating establishments.

Because sometimes, it is difficult to decide which Ohio Valley company should receive our business.

TASTE OF COUNTY –– United Way of Jefferson County board member Taylor Steeves, left, met with Executive Director Marci Snyder-Crawford at the nonprofit agency, ensuring everything will be ready for the United Way’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Taste of Jefferson County. -- Julie Stenger

Once in a while, supermarkets will offer samples.

But restaurants or bakeries? Rarely, if at all.

However, there is one unique opportunity such as this which comes along every year. A chance to sample some of the best foods made by local restaurants and bakeries.

And that perfect opportunity is just around the corner.

The 29th-annual Taste of Jefferson County will make its return to Wintersville’s St. Florian Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN — During the 2023 and 2024 Taste of Jefferson County fundraisers, guests visited St. Florian Hall in support of the United Way of Jefferson County. Those in attendance sampled a variety of foods and desserts from local businesses. Among the businesses participating as a vendor was Cake Roll Creations, whose owner, Monica Pendleton, offered guests a variety of cake rolls to try. -- Julie Stenger

The food-tasting event affords guests the opportunity to sample some of what local eating establishments say are their more-popular dishes, including appetizers, entrees, main courses and desserts. Sponsored by the United Way of Jefferson County, the event features culinary business owners interested in showcasing a few of their best creations.

More than a dozen local businesses will set up stations inside the hall, where guests will be able to browse the food items available and receive a sampling of what the company offers.

The event is the perfect opportunity for business owners and employees to inform the community of what sets them apart from other establishments.

Not only will those in attendance be able to taste various types of flavor profiles, but they will be helping to raise money for the United Way. This is the nonprofit’s foremost fundraiser, with all proceeds going to help its 11 member agecies.

This will be the first year in which United Way Executive Director Marci Snyder-Crawford will be overseeing the event.

FINALIZING PLANS — The United Way of Jefferson County is finalizing the details for the 29th-annual Taste of Jefferson County event, set for Oct. 8 at St. Florian Hall. At left, Marge Bish, left, is a volunteer with Family and Community Services, RSVP — one of the member agencies supported by the United Way. Bish spent Thursday morning volunteering at the United Way, an agency she has helped for the last five years. Bish prepared postcards inviting residents to the event. Assisting with plans was Marci Snyder-Crawford, executive director. -- Julie Stenger

Snyder-Crawford joined the agency in July, having only attended the Taste of Jefferson County in a non-leadership capacity last year. She explained how much she enjoyed the event, noting she was there not only as a guest and to support the United Way, but to support its then-executive director, her friend, Laura Rauch.

Little did Snyder-Crawford realize at this time last year, that she would be taking on Rauch’s role and leading the fundraiser this year.

She explained she is nervous and excited at the same time, as she wants to ensure the event is successful.

“I attended last year and loved the food and loved the environment,” she stated. “I had an amazing time. I am hoping everyone who attends will as well.”

The committee is still looking into its entertainment. A cash bar will be available.

The cost will be $35 per ticket, which according to Snyder-Crawford, is what one would pay when going out to eat at any restaurant.

She noted the Taste of Jefferson County is a casual event, providing a conversational environment where guests can sit, relax, enjoy time with friends, try a selection of foods and spend a night winning prizes, all while supporting the United Way — and for the price of what one would pay when visiting a restaurant.

New this year will be involving the member agencies which the United Way supports.

Some of the agencies will be in attendance and have tables set up in the center of the room for people to inquire about the services they offer to the community. This is the fist time agencies are incorporated into the event.

Snyder-Crawford explained she wanted to do this because for her, it is a sense of community when people break bread together and eat with one another in the same setting.

“We want to be known for an evening of fun and unity, but we also want to be a lifeline for thousands of people in Jefferson County,” she said. “These participating restaurants and bakeries are a huge sponsorship just by being there with their food and helping us to make the fundraising event successful. When we all unite together, anything is possible.”

While the Taste of Jefferson County has been an intricate part of the Ohio Valley for approximately three decades, it was forced to take a hiatus because of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Missing two years of fundraising was a difficult time for everyone in the area, officials commented, adding the event was able to make a successful return in April 2022.

And when it did make its return, supporters turned out in numbers that even surprised organizers.

More than 200 community residents were in attendance at the 2022 event. Those numbers carried over into 2023, officials said. Last year was the first time the United Way had a Taste of Jefferson County committee. That committee is helping to finalize plans for the Oct. 8 event, along with volunteers. Those on the Taste of Jefferson County committee include Taylor Steeves, Gene Zyrini, Mary Beth Panepucci and Amanda Krupinski.

The nonprofit is still working on getting additional vendors and food trucks interested in participating.

To date, this year’s line-up will include: A Touch of Elegance, Downtown Bakery, EZ Fresh, the Laurel’s of Steubenville, Pastaio in Wintersville, Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern, Cake Roll Creations, Seven Ranges Entertainment and Chaisson’s Kajun Services. Businesses interested in becoming a vendor, including food trucks, are asked to contact the United Way for information.

Officials noted that a good word from patrons can potentially increase a business’s customer base, so being a vendor and allowing the community to try one of the more-popular menu items during this event will ultimately end up being a win-win for everyone involved.

Steeves said of the event, “The Taste of Jefferson County is a great event showcasing great local restaurants which, in turn, helps the 11 local agencies the United Way supports.”

In addition to the evening’s sampling, guests will have the opportunity to take part in a number of special drawings scheduled to be held throughout the early evening.

Some of the prizes being offered are baskets of items which were provided by supporting businesses and individuals. Tickets for the drawings will be on sale during the event.

Snyder-Crawford thanked all of the businesses for donating an item to be included in the drawings, including Discovery Jewelers, who faithfully contributes to the cause each year.

At the evening’s conclusion, officials will announce the patron-voted winners. Guests will be able to vote on which vendor they believe had the evening’s “Best Entree,” “Best Dessert” and “Best Theme.”

This annual tradition is something vendors enjoy winning, as they deem it a compliment to be selected the best in the area by those in attendance.

This year’s theme will be Halloween, according to Snyder-Crawford.

Vendors can decorate their displays using the Halloween theme, after which guests can vote on who had the best overall setting.

Past themes have included “Rocking into the Flavor,” “Falling into Autumn,” “A Local Affair,” “Around the World,” “Under the Sea,” “A Night at the Carnival” and “Oktoberfest.”

The Taste of Jefferson County was first established by the United Way in 1995 under the leadership and guidance of Jim Morgan and Sue Hershey.

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting runsignup.com/TicketEvent/UWTasteofJeffersonCountyOH or by calling the United Way at (740) 284-9000.

The United Way office, located at 511 N. Fourth St., will have tickets available and organizers will be selling tickets at the door the evening of the event.

The United Way began the kickoff for its 2026 campaign during its Day of Action Aug. 28.

A breakfast was held at the Jeffco Event Center, where officials announced their goal of raising $325,000.

The United Way of Jefferson County is focused on helping everyone when the opportunity presents itself.

Some of the other initiatives the United Way participates in to help the community are the United Sole program, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run-Walk.

To support any of the United Way of Jefferson County events or to learn more about the 11 nonprofit agencies and who they help support, visit unitedway-jc.org.

In addition to Snyder-Crawford serving as executive director, those who sit on the United Way of Jefferson County board of directors includes, Ted Gorman, president; Anthony Mougianis, vice president; Tom Timmons, treasurer; Tiffany Luckino, secretary; Krupinski, Jennifer Ferris, Carlo Capaldi, Ed Florak, Andrew Henry, James Morgan, Brian Moss, Mary Beth Panepucci, Steeves, Zrinyi, Chris Orris and Mike Biasi.

Although the United Way holds many fundraisers throughout the year, Taste of Jefferson County leads in the amount of money raised toward helping others. The event generates funding which ultimately supports the United Way’s 11 member agencies.

These member agencies continuously help those in need throughout the year, providing diverse services such as abuse support, homelessness, food assistance, youth services, disaster relief and health matters. Agencies include, A Caring Place, Child Advocacy Center; A Child’s Place CASA; ALIVE; Jefferson County Community Action Council; Smithfield Friends Church Food Pantry; W.E.B.A. Food Pantry; Toronto Services Committee; American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter; Ohio Valley Youth Network and Sycamore Youth Center; Family and Community Services, RSVP; and the Ohio Valley Health Center.

“We strongly believe in our mission to support our 11 local agencies who help so many in need across Jefferson County,” Snyder-Crawford concluded. “In addition to our mission, we are in awe of the services that our agencies provide. Their work in the community is truly inspiring.”