An sample of dining choices to satisfy the most eclectic palate will be offered this week by an unlikely source: the Scotland County Literacy Council.

The literacy council will hold its 17th annual Taste of the Town fundraiser from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church.

Taste of the Town is the literacy council’s largest fundraiser that with more than 250 attendees raises some $2,500 to be directed to the organization’s general expenses.

“This is the Literacy Council’s largest fundraiser each year and provides funds to increase literacy in our county,” said Emerson Veler, a member of the literacy council’s board of directors. “Whenever we can increase our literacy, we increase our labor pool for existing and potential new industries, which is something that people don’t normally think about.”

The literacy council provides remedial education in reading, mathematics, and computer skills to Scotland County adults. At present, some 30 active students utilize its services, are assisted by the council’s two paid staff members and six volunteer tutors.

“The Literacy Council has really been hit hard by funding reductions over the years; we don’t currently have a director and we’re trying to seek new funds to enable us to improve our programming,” said Veler. “Our office staff is minimal; we really only have one person in the office full-time and we have another employee who works maybe six hours a week.”

More than 15 local restaurants will serve food at Taste of the Town: 215 On Main, Scotland High School’s Bagpiper Restaurant, Campbell’s Soup, Champs Fine Foods and Spirits, St. Andrews University’s Chartwell Food Service, Domino’s Pizza, General McArthur’ s Restaurant, The Gill House, Golden Corral, Jerry’s, McDuff’s Neighborhood Grill, Miyako Japanese Restaurant, Nic’s Pic Kwik, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q, Taco Bell, Taki Japanese Restaurant, and Thee Other Guys BBQ.

Live music will be provided during the event by Gary Gallman and the Rev. Neal Carter. The event is a great meal deal for those in attendance and a chance for restaurants to introduce their dishes to a new group of diners, said Veler.

“We have new restaurants this year, so it’s kind of a two-way street where our locals can sample new restaurants and our restaurants can bring new signature dishes and people might want to go to the restaurant and try some more,” he said.

Tickets to Taste of the Town can be purchased at the door, at the literacy council buidling on McLaurin Avenue, or from a literacy council board member. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.