Jan and Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty enjoyed all of the different tastes at the Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers fundriaiser at the Bavarian Inn on Nov. 13. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERESTOWN — The Tastes from Around the World event, hosted at the Bavarian Inn to benefit Good Shepherd Interfaith Caregivers, is a favorite each year. Supporters of Good Shepherd gather to taste specialty dishes from a variety of countries, all prepared by the staff at the Bavarian Inn.

This year, the countries that were represented included France, the United States, Argentina and Germany.

The Bavarian Inn has partnered with Good Shepherd for this event since at least 2010, according to Good Shepherd Director Paula Marrone-Reese.

“We are so blessed to once again have the Bavarian as a partner in this event. They do a fabulous job,” Marrone-Reese said. “Funds raised at the event this year will be designated to help fund the medical equipment lending program.”

Good Shepherd Interfaith Caregivers lends medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, Hoyer lifts, rollators, walkers, bedside commodes, knee walkers, shower chairs and tub transfer benches.

“Basically, any equipment that helps with recovery or mobility,” Marrone-Reese said.

“I know it seems like we are always doing fundraisers, and we are!” Marrone-Reese said. “We don’t bill anyone for service. We have one state grant and we have to raise the rest of the money to do what we do.”

Event attendees were more than happy to help with the fundraising efforts.

“Good Shepherd Caregivers is what is best about our community,” said Pete Dougherty. “It is people helping people, neighbor helping neighbor and that is an extension of what makes our nation great.”

His wife, Jan, agreed.

“We went, because we believe that what Good Shepherd does is a wonderful service to the community,” Jan said.

According to Jan, her favorite pairing of the evening was the wine with the crab dip.

“The empanadas were very tasty, too,” she said.

In addition to the lending program, Good Shepherd provides transportation to at least 60 individuals on a regular basis, including eight dialysis patients who must travel at least three times per week. All of the driving is provided by volunteers, because the agency does not have drivers.

“Our biggest part is staff coordinators, who organize the volunteers and who organize our fundraisers,” Marrone-Reese said.

The agency is always in need of additional volunteers and financial contributions. For more information, visit www.gsivc.org, call 304-876-3325 or email info@gsivc.org.