By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

There’s one Wednesday evening each October when Stephen Keiluhn, Cathy Gunn, Christine McHale and Art Angerman, look forward to closing up their respective businesses a few hours early, head to The Merion in Cinnaminson, and work together to help raise awareness on an important cause – domestic violence.

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Such was the occasion Oct. 5 when the four Burlington County restaurant, bakery and café entrepreneurs joined with about 15 colleagues from other county eateries and some 400 guests for the 22nd annual Taste of Burlington County, a benefit fundraiser for Providence House Domestic Violence Services of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton.

“How can we not want to help?” said Angerman, manager of Dooney’s Irish Pub, Delran,  as he reflected on the “Taste” as being a successful, fun-filled event in Burlington County that involves delicious cuisines provided by local restaurants in an extraordinarily friendly atmosphere and people who truly want to help Providence House.

“Providence House is a great cause…an important cause…and we need to support the cause,” Angerman said, as he served samples of Dooney’s famous Irish fare – shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash.

Established in Burlington County in 1978, PHDVS provides an array of free, confidential and comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and their children. Services include: a 24-hour hotline, an undisclosed emergency safe house, outreach counseling services, legal advocacy and services for child victims and witnesses of domestic abuse. For children ages three to 12, there is PALS (Peace – A Learned Solution), which is a creative arts therapy intervention program.

According to Mary Pettrow, associate director of PHDVS, The Taste of Burlington County is Providence House Domestic Violence Services’ fundraiser of the year. It’s an event, she said, “where we celebrate together as a community – a community of survivors, volunteers, community partners, donors, sponsors, staff, committee members, restaurants, participants and humanitarians.”

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and together we celebrate the actions taken by the community to end the cycle of domestic violence through education, empowerment and advocacy,” Pettrow said. “All proceeds from the event benefit those in our community who have suffered at the hands of a loved one.”

Pettor said that in 2015, Providence House om Burlington County assisted 2,023 individuals “escape violence in the home.” Of those individuals, 181victims and their children took up residence in the emergency safe house; 587 received assistance through the 24-hour hotline and a total of 5,017 in counseling services.

In addition to Dooney’s Irish Pub, Pettrow acknowledged the eateries that were on hand to serve dishes at the 2016 Taste: b.good; Best of the Wurst; Bob Evans Restaurant; The Breakfast Nook and Dredge Harbor Dockside Café; Buffalo Wild Wings; Cathy’s Catering; Chickie’s and Pete’s; Corner Bakery Café; Costco; Don Pablo’s; Georgetti’s; Marcello’s Ristorante & Pizzeria; The Merion; Milanese Pizza; The Pie Lady Café; Recovery Sports Grill; Throwbacks Bar and Grill; Victoria’s Bagel Bistro and Whistler’s Inn.

“We thank our partners for standing strong in their community and for being a part of ours,” said Pettrow, noting that this year’s Taste raised nearly $50,000 -- $48,500 that night and another $1,500 in follow-up donations. “Their continued support for this event and throughout the year through generously giving of their time, donations and financial support make it possible for us to provide services that empower survivors with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to live safe, abuse-free lives and break the intergenerational cycle of violence.”

Outside of missing one year, Gunn noted that her Riverton-based Cathy’s Catering  has faithfully participated in the annual Taste each year.

Then sharing that in past years her catering business has also been called upon to prepare meals for the safe house residents at Christmastime and other holidays, Gunn spoke of how “heartbreaking it is to see these women and their children and know they have no other choice.”

“They turn to Providence House because they have to escape abuse and violence,” she said.

“I want to do what I can to support Providence House,” Gunn said, then added a plug that more people and businesses should consider participating in the Taste of Burlington County in the future.

“It’s a fun event,” she said. “You get to taste good food, you can win good prizes, all of the vendors get along and we’re helping others. It’s a win-win all the way around.”