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YOUNGSTOWN -- In a delectable display of community support, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley hosted its 31st annual Taste of the Valley on Sunday that brought together 16 area restaurants under one roof.
The event at Stambaugh Auditorium offered free samplings to attendees and aimed to raise funds for the food bank while treating guests to a culinary showing, all in the name of giving back.
"Every year, we welcome some of the finest restaurant and beverage providers in the area who come here to help raise money for the cause of helping people in need," Michael Iberis, Second Harvest executive director, said. "We have a solid crowd and people enjoyed it immensely. Most of them are annual or ongoing supporters."
The consistent turnout, according to Iberis, sells out the event yearly despite the fact that the food bank doesn't advertise. He largely attributes this to the amount of guests who reserve seating for the next year's event.
This year's fundraiser sold out to an impressive crowd of 350 attendees, all eager to indulge in the diverse array of dishes prepared by the talented chefs representing the participating restaurants.
From savory to sweet, the samplings offered something to satisfy every plate.
If you stopped by downtown Warren's Downtown 124 Kitchen booth, owner Tony VanKirk and manager Rob Diroll served two of their most popular appetizers -- crispy Brussels sprouts glazed with Ohio maple syrup, and topped with Parmesean cheese and bacon.
VanKirk and Diroll also had their award-winning Hungarian hot peppers and oil to accompany their naan bread.
A newcomer to the event circuit, VanKirk said the turnout was more than he imagined, calling it a refreshing sight to see all the community support.
He said his team worked all throughout their down hours at the restaurant on Friday to ensure their food was as fresh as possible for the night's event.
"Doing something that benefits other people has always been one thing that I enjoy and this event is one that I look forward to making an annual showing for us," VanKirk said.
The venue buzzed with excitement as attendees savored the flavors, engaged in lively conversation and discovered new favorite dishes. Not only did the event leave guests with satisfied taste buds, but it also generated approximately $50,000 to feed hungry individuals in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Since the event began in the early 1990s it has generated more than $920,000, not including this year, which has provided nearly 5.5 million meals, Iberis said.
By year's end, Iberis said the food bank will distribute 12 million pounds of food, topping their total from last year of 9.5 million pounds of food and 2.8 million pounds of produce.
One of the attendees, Ann Hutter of Youngstown, said the event goes a long way toward showing how many people can't afford to feed their families on a daily basis.
"We are blessed to have a community that can come together and have a great turnout for events like this," Hutter said.
As a newcomer to the event, she said the crab cakes were among her favorite dishes. The event seemed to leave a lasting impression on Hutter as she said she plans to return in the future.