People across the country have been especially generous in making donations during COVID-19, which is a hopeful sign since the pandemic has exacerbated a problem that already existed in New Mexico: families struggling to put food on the table. While many of us bemoan the problem, a group of people decided to take action to help alleviate it with a star-studded virtual concert which will benefit the New Mexico Association of Food Banks.
FOOD FOR LOVE, FEBRUARY 13, 2021
Dozens of generous musicians and special guests are coming together to create Food for Love, a virtual concert on Valentine’s Eve, February 13, which will raise money to provide emergency food relief in every county and Native American Nation and pueblo in New Mexico, where poverty ranks second highest in the nation.
Unemployment in New Mexico has reached record highs while poverty levels have hit a crisis point. Since COVID struck, New Mexico food banks have been overloaded with requests, and have struggled to keep up with demand. Families are caught between paying overdue bills or putting food on the table. One in three children and one in five adults are in danger of going to bed hungry.
Clearly, help is needed.
One of the event organizers, Bill Banowsky who owns Violet Crown in Santa Fe, told SantaFe.com, “This is the brainchild of Jo Harvey and Terry Allen. When COVID hit, Jo Harvey and Terry reached out to Steve Feinberg and to my wife, Susan, and me about the idea of a virtual concert to benefit the hungry in New Mexico. Our state already struggled with hunger, and COVID made matters far worse, so we were happy to join in and support their efforts in any way we could. After about five months of Zoom planning sessions, the event is moving forward with dozens of musicians. It’s humbling to see stars of this caliber giving their time and talent so graciously to support this important cause.”
So far, over 50 musicians (see list at bottom of story) are scheduled to perform online February 13, along with special guest appearances by well-known New Mexicans such as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and former Gov. Bill Richardson, authors Hampton Sides, N. Scott Momaday, and George R. R. Martin, actor Wes Studi, and writer, actress, artist, and event organizer Jo Harvey Allen.
You can help while enjoying the concert
The goal of this online event is to raise funds to reduce hunger across the state, so while there is no charge to “attend,” your generosity will help reach that goal. Every dollar donated will go towards feeding the hungry and a single dollar can help provide up to four nutritious meals. Donations can be made during the concert, in advance through the website, or by mailing a check.
For the complete list of performers and special guests, as well as updates on the event time, check their website, sign up for updates, and check our site and social media. We’ll be adding information as available.
Now, we just all need to do our part to help alleviate hunger in New Mexico!
Performing artists include:
● ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO ● AMY LEVERE ● BALE ALLEN ● BEN DICKEY ● BILL HEARNE & MICHAEL HEARNE ● BOB LIVINGSTON ● BOB SCHNEIDER ● BRUCE ROBISON & KELLY WILLIS ● BUKKA ALLEN ● BUTCH HANCOCK ● CHARLIE SEXTON ● DAVE GRUSIN ● DAVID BYRNE ● D’DAT ● DEL CASTILLO ● DELBERT MCCLINTON ● DONALD RUBINSTEIN ● ELIZA GILKYSON ● IAN MOORE ● INARA GEORGE ● JACK INGRAM ● JACKSON BROWNE ● JAMES MCMURTRY ● JESSE DAYTON ● JIMMIE DALE GILMORE ● JOE ELY ● JOHN DENSMORE ● JOHN DOE ● JONO MANSON ● KURT VILE ● LA DRIVERS POR POR GROUP ● LYLE LOVETT ● MARCIA BALL ● MARGARET BURKE ● MICKEY HART & ZAKIR HUSSAIN ● RAHIM ALHAJ ● RAY WYLIE HUBBARD ● ROBERT EARL KEEN ● RODNEY CROWELL ● ROSIE FLORES ● RYAN BINGHAM ● SHANNON MCNALLY ● SHAWN COLVIN ● SHINYRIBS ● STEVE EARLE ● STEVE FELD ● SUE FOLEY ● TERRI HENDRIX & LLOYD MAINES ● TERRY ALLEN ● THE CHICKS ● THE MASTERSONS ● VERLON THOMPSON ● WILL SEXTON ● ELLE KING ● NATHANIEL RATELIFF ● GARRY BLACKCHILD ● AND MORE!
Posted by LasCruces.com
