Mt. Morris, NY August 21 - Call it inspiration, call it illumination, or simply call it "Divine" intervention, but local businesses have acquired an unprecedented taste for giving with the anticipated arrival of a unique, once-a-year culinary fundraising event.

Banks, restaurants, and other businesses from all parts of Wyoming and Livingston Counties are showing collective support for the “Divine Delights” food tasting to be held at 5:30pm Wednesday, September 12 at the American Legion Hall in the Warsaw Village Park. Now in its fifth year, Divine Delights is a major annual fundraiser for both The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Angel Action of Community Action for Wyoming County.

This year’s event is expected to bring together more than 300 community members to sample food from more than 20 area restaurants in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. All dishes are donated from local restaurants, and the event is funded through the generosity of local business. Business participation has already exceeded all previous years’ totals, and community interest is peaking as tickets become available for the event.

Divine Delights 2007 boasts support from no less than three of the area’s major financial institutions, including major backing from G.V.T.A. Federal Credit Union, M&T Bank, and Five Star Bank.

G.V.T.A. CEO Jerry Koehler says, “G.V.T.A. Federal Credit Union is proud to be the sponsor of Divine Delights and support the work done by The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Angel Action. Like the Arc and Angel Action, G.V.T.A thrives on building relationships and providing services for many people. Our philosophy will always be ‘people helping people.’”

The unique ability for sponsors to demonstrate their commitment to two distinct but complementary community service organizations is a key to Divine Delights’ appeal, according to Eric Parker, Branch Manager for M&T Bank in Perry and Silver Springs.

“M&T is proud to be a business sponsor of Divine Delights, and support the efforts of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Angel Action to provide services and support to families in our communities,” Parker says. “At M&T Bank, we all offer our time and resources as we believe it is important to support the organizations that make our communities better places to live, work and grow.”

Since its inception, all proceeds from Divine Delights have benefited The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Angel Action. The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in creating and maintaining independent lives in the community. Angel Action is a volunteer program of Community Action for Wyoming County that focuses on helping area families who do not qualify for assistance through the normal service arena, and providing help where it is otherwise unavailable for a particular need.

Even before the first delicious dish is served, this year’s Divine Delights event has garnered more than $5,000 in financial support to benefit the programs and services of both not-for-profit organizations. This generous up-front support also allows the Divine Delights steering committee to make 2007’s Divine Delights the most gala edition yet. The event will include several auctions and drawings for valuable items purchased or donated from leading area businesses. Examples of auction items include a catered dinner for six courtesy of the D&R Depot Restaurant, a “High Tea” for six from the Wyoming Inn, and a half-day fishing charter on Lake Ontario.

Eateries and wineries participating in Divine Delights include the Beachcomber (Conesus), Bill's Restaurant (Nunda), Byrncliff Resort & Conference Center (Varysburg), Catered Creations, Inc. (Arcade), Decisions (Silver Springs), Deer Run Winery (Geneseo), D&R Depot Restaurant (Leroy), Eagle Crest Vineyard (Conesus), Glen Iris Inn (Castile), Kelly's Jellies (Perry), Lorraine's Place (Castile), Ranchers Choice (Orangeville), Wedding Cakes by Mary Nevinger (Warsaw), Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Center (Batavia), The Lumberyard Restaurant (Perry), The Prospector (Attica), The Valley Inn (Warsaw), The Coffee Bar (Warsaw), Tim Horton's (Warsaw), Tops Friendly Markets (Warsaw), Valley View Restaurant & Lounge (Warsaw), Wegmans Food & Pharmacy (Geneseo), and Yard of Ale (Piffard).

Tickets are $25 per person, and include a chance to win a 37” Toshiba flat screen television. For tickets or to learn more, contact The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming Public Relations Specialist, Bonnie McGoldrick at (585) 658-2828 ext. 108 or bmcgoldrick@lwarc.org or Pat Standish, Division Director for Angel Action, at (585) 237-2600.