The Covington County Red Cross is looking for restaurants and other organizations willing to provide area residents a “taste” of the county in its annual event next month.

The organization’s fourth annual “Taste of Covington County” fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on April 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Kiwanis Community Center.

Executive director Merrill Davis said this event serves as the primary fundraiser for the local Red Cross. In addition to restaurants, the Red Cross also is seeking sponsors for the event. This year they are aiming to have 20 restaurants sign up for the event, and so far, Davis said they have good participation. Food vendors will be accepted until March 31.

“We have a good many verbal requests, we’re about half way on the restaurants,” he said.

“There is no entry fee for restaurants,” Davis said. “The only cost to them is making the samples of their specialty items, but it is tax deductible.”

“This is our largest fundraiser,” he said. “We strive to reach $10,000. So far, we’ve had good response from sponsors. Even in the economy, people are still working to help us.”

Davis said the Red Cross will accept sponsorships from businesses through March 26.

“Other businesses in the community purchase sponsorships. In terms of sponsorships, we’ve received about 17 sponsorships so far. Anyone interested can contact our office.”

Davis said that none of the sponsorship money is used for the event, but goes directly into the budget.

“The sponsorships actually go to fund us the next fiscal year,” he said. “We are a nonprofit organization and are funded by the community, but everything goes right back into the community in light of disaster.”

Each year, the Red Cross responds to an average of 40 disasters.

This year, Davis said only advanced tickets to the event will be sold. They are $15.

“The Red Cross office is the main distribution point,” he said.