Organizers for the 10th annual “Taste of the South” event were excited to say that they raised twice as much money this year.

Sharon Smith, the coordinator for last Thursday’s event, said it raised slightly more than $2,800, about double the proceeds from the 2012 event.

“I thought the turnout was outstanding and it was one of our most successful events yet,” Smith said.

Those proceeds from the event will benefit the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, which coordinates the Leadership Atmore program. Smith was a member of the 2004 Leadership Atmore class, which started “Taste of the South” as its community service project.

Smith and her classmates have been maintaining the project ever since, but they now plan to let the chamber and other Leadership Atmore class alumni organize the annual event.

Smith said she has been very happy to see the public embrace the project and help it grow into such a strong success.

“I am tickled to death with this project,” she said. “I know that the community loves it so much. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from the community about how much they enjoy it and look forward to it.

“I’m going to enjoy watching it continue to grow and flourish under the direction of the chamber and Leadership Atmore alumni.”