Blues & Brews raising funds for hungry kids
Summertime: a season for kicking back, relaxing in the pool; heading out on an adventure, not realizing kids are going hungry.
“People tend to focus more on vacations; not being aware of the fact that kids rely on school programs, so without access to these, a lot of kids go hungry throughout the day,” says Kathy Nitta, media and special events co-ordinator of Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.
Typically, it’s a time of year when donating to food banks is not uppermost in most people’s minds.
But depending on food banks is a reality many families are forced to face, Nitta says.
“Around Christmas time, people are in the mindset of giving, but we find it particularly difficult throughout the summer months. Our need has definitely gone up.”
After calling Joe Viele, owner of Donnelly’s Pub on Front Street in Thorold, who’s also a dedicated Community Care supporter, staff came up with a solution: a Blues & Brews fundraising event on Aug. 7.
“Donnelly’s has been a loyal partner with Community Care for a long time,” says Nitta, adding that the event is “also just a great way to get some people out over the long weekend and hear some music.”
The downtown Thorold pub is known for hosting live music year ’round, featuring mostly blues acts that team with a talented house band led by star guitarist/singer Brant Parker.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the civic holiday Monday, three musical acts will perform on Donnelly’s patio — weather permitting — backed by the Brant Parker Band. Chuck Jackson, veteran frontman for the Downchild Blues Band will appear, along with Aboriginal Music Award-winning guitarist Joel Johnson, and vocal/pianist powerhouse Jenie Thai, who recently made her successful Thorold debut at the Blues in the Battlefield festival held on the Canada Day weekend.
Tickets cost $20 and are available by calling 905-227-0233 or by visiting Donnelly’s Pub, 54 Front St. S., open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m..
The event will also include both silent and live auctions with auctioneer Mark Matthews, and feature a Fender Stratocaster guitar. Community Care fund development officer Laura Byers will be selling 50/50 tickets, with all event proceeds slated for Community Care.
Nitta says that in addition to replenishing depleted food banks, funding will soon be needed for its back-to-school program, Snacks and Sneakers.
If unable to attend Blues & Brews, you can still help Community Care’s hungry clients of all ages by bringing their most-needed items to Thorold’s Albert Street branch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday: peanut butter, canned fish and meat, nut-free granola bars, 100 per cent fruit juice, baby formula, cereal and diapers.
More information about Community Care is available by calling 905-685-1349.