Innovative nonprofits really deserve a lot of credit; they come up with some very creative ways to raise money.

Take Good Samaritan Services and its upcoming Ephrata Eats outing as an example. It's an event featuring food, drink and fellowship, all in the name of healthy housing and sound financial practices.

"People love eating good food for a good cause," said Mandy Ramos, Good Samaritan Services' director of community engagement. "It's a wide variety of food, everything from savory to sweet. It's not a fancy event. It's held at your local brewing company. You're probably going to run into someone you know. It's a very light event. It's a very social event. You're going to have a chance to win things and help a local nonprofit. We really want to make it an event where everyone has a good time."

Good Samaritan Services will hold its Ephrata Eats event at Pour Man's Brewing Company, 24 E. Main St., Ephrata, on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m. More than 10 northern Lancaster County restaurants will be there with their unique culinary offerings.

Those attending will be afforded an opportunity to vote for their favorite dishes.

There will also be music, giveaway drawings, other games and a direct appeal for Good Samaritan funding.

"One of our marketing aspects comes from when people see the restaurants who are going to be there," said Ramos. "They know they're going to have fun trying food they never tried before. The event is designed to bring in new people. We're hoping a mix of marketing will get them there. But we also want our current donors there, those who already believe in the work we're doing."

"We love alliteration, and we live in Ephrata," Ramos continued. "We wanted an event to showcase vendors. We assume our friends here in Ephrata like to eat."

Ramos said Good Samaritan Services is hoping to attract 150 to 200 attendees to Ephrata Eats. It's a turnout that would raise an estimated $50,000 of Good Samaritan Services' multi-million-dollar operating budget.

"It's a portion of what we need to run our nonprofit in Lancaster and Chester counties," said Ramos. "We exist to help people move from crisis to stability. Housing is a big part of it, but it doesn't end with housing. It's individual case management. We have a case manager who can help you with all your needs to hit stability. (Clients) have an advocate who is helping them with everything. It addresses the whole person."

Functioning under the motto "Restoring Hope, Transforming Lives," Good Samaritan Services operates in five locations - Phoenixville, Coatesville, Kennett Square, Lancaster city and Ephrata. The nonprofit, which addresses homelessness and poverty issues, was founded in Phoenixville in 1999 and opened its Ephrata office in 2011.

"Over the last 13 years, our commitment in this community has been to helping our neighbors," said Ramos. "We want everyone in our community to have a chance to live a great life. We know this community. That's why we wanted to have this event in Ephrata. We're passionate about it. That's what keeps us going every day."

For additional information on Good Samaritan Services' Ephrata Eats event or to purchase tickets, go to http://www.goodsamservices.org, click on "Ways You Can Help" and select "Events & Campaigns."