"Doc" McCluskey serves up some jambalaya at Shepherd Village Cohousing's 2023 Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser on Feb. 20. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — As inflation started notably increasing the cost of food and general living expenses over the last few months, charity organizations have struggled to keep their operations going. But for one of those organizations, Shepherdstown Shares, continued operations have been made a little easier, thanks to the community-mindedness of local residents.

On Feb. 20, the 2023 Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser was held at Shepherd Village’s community house, to raise funds for Shepherdstown Shares 501(c)3 and its food pantry. Led by a team of Shepherd Village residents, the event was opened up to the entire village and invited guests, with a total of 44 in attendance.

“We had a Mardi Gras meal, where I was the head chief and cooked a jambalaya, augmented by praline cookies and a King Cake,” said “Doc” McCluskey. “We are community with a strong commitment to social justice and community so we do these things occasionally.”

According to McCluskey, his fellow sponsors provided the desserts served at the dinner: McCluskey’s wife, Melanie Winter, made the praline cookies, while Andy Ridenour and Mary Watters baked the New Orleans King Cakes.

“Shepherd Village does a lot of outreach. In the past year we have worked with the thrift store, Shepherdstown Shares, Shepherdstown Area Independent Living, the Friends of Music and Lifelong Learning. We were the driving force behind a Habit for Humanity build,” McCluskey said, noting this particular event raised more donations than usual at a Shepherd Village Common Meal fundraiser. “On average, we bring in about $150 donations for each Common Meal. But because this was for Shepherdstown Shares, people opened their wallets, along with their hearts. This event raised more than $800!”

King Cake, a traditional Mardi Gras dessert, was one of the items served at Shepherd Village's fundraiser on Feb. 20. Courtesy photo

For McCluskey, raising funds to make sure the Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry can continue its work in the community was a must for the village, in part due to the influence of his wife.

“Melanie ran a food pantry in Florida for several years, and brought that awareness of food insecurity to our attention when she moved into the village,” McCluskey said. “She has been a voice for [Shepherdstown] Shares in our community.”

According to Shepherdstown Shares board member Mark Kohut, food donations have actually increased recently at the Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry, helping alleviate the increased financial burden Shepherdstown Shares has been feeling.

“For the first 10 months of 2022, we fell short of our weekly need about $200 a week, as we said on the postcard mailing we did to all of Shepherdstown. In the holiday period, [giving from] the whole community, people, all the churches and the retail stores with our Share Your Change jars kept us from falling short and built us back up nicely,” Kohut said, mentioning Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry feeds anywhere between 150-200 people per week, including many families. “Last year, Doc did this same fundraising dinner and raised over $400. This year, it was double that!”

Based on the two-year success of this event, McCluskey indicated it will likely be held again next year, to raise further support for the food pantry.

A Mardi Gras mask lies on a table at the 2023 Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser, as attendees dig into their food on Feb. 20. Courtesy photo

“Shepherd Village hopes to continue to contribute to this wonderful community that has made us feel so welcomed,” McCluskey said. “In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”