Taste of Community event 19 years strong

Sip on local wine and savor the flavor from more than 20 South Jersey eateries, all while you connect with new friends

In 1998, the Volunteer Center of Gloucester County introduced a small plate offering where the community could come together and enjoy food by local chefs and other eateries. Now in its 19th year, the Volunteer Center of South Jersey continues to bring over 400 guests and 20 South Jersey eateries and wineries together at Auletto Caterers in Almonesson, NJ.

This year’s Taste of Community will be held on Monday, April 24, and festivities connected to the event start at 6 p.m., with a VIP reception at 5 p.m.

The fundraiser benefits the Volunteer Center of South Jersey, a nonprofit organization that acts as a liaison between many nonprofits and volunteers to change lives, empower individuals and families and improve the communities in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. It also offers educational, consulting and other support services to help nonprofit organizations grow, so volunteers and the business partners can serve the community.

“We are proud of the success of the Volunteer Center over the past 12 months. We have connected more volunteers than ever before and our new volunteer registrations average three to five per day,” Executive Director Michele Epifani said. “Taste of Community represents what we ultimately do all year long; making connections for the community who want to make a difference. This event brings together the volunteers, non-profit organizations and the business community for an evening of sipping local wines, savoring tastes from some of the finest eateries in South Jersey, all while they make that connection.”

Epifani noted that the VIP reception starts at 5 p.m. at the caterer’s wine cellar. Tickets for that event are $75 per person, and include a special wine and hors d’oeuvres tasting, as well as the main tasting event.

General admission tickets including the flavorful tastings from over 20 area eateries are $55 per person. Live entertainment, a photo booth, auctions and door prizes will be available throughout the evening to all ticket holders.

Indicative of VCSJ’s coverage area, restaurants from throughout South Jersey representing many different cultures — American bistro, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Indian, and vegan — will be serving their finest foods and desserts.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in South Jersey that offers such a wide-ranging, delicious menu at such an affordable price,” Epifani continued. “And knowing you’re helping the programs and services of the Volunteer Center of South Jersey leaves you just as satisfied.”

To purchase tickets, visit sjvolunteers.org/toc, or call (856) 415–9084.