CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – With local food banks needing donors to up their games as what was already record demand surges during the government shutdown, a group of local musicians is putting together a Thanksgiving weekend fundraiser in Fluvanna County named for the famous 1969 music festival Woodstock.
Foodstock Fluvanna is being set up for Saturday, November 29 at the Bunker Bistro inside Lake Monticello.
Local musician Trey Mitchell is co-organizing a lineup of local bands and solo artists top play from 5 p.m.-to- 9 p.m. that evening to raise money for Fluvanna County’s FLRD Food Pantry.
“In the ’90s back when the government shut down… I was not as fortunate as I am today as my wife and I were struggling to make ends meet,” Mitchell said. “We were receiving a veterans education benefit my wife received because her father had passed away unexpectedly while serving in the Navy.”
“During that shutdown, which only lasted a couple of weeks, the VA ended up with a six-month backlog, and we went a long time without getting that benefit check that we had kind of some to rely on,” Mitchell remembered.
He said it was fortunate it was only a short time because, “It’s the only time in my personal life that I’ve really known what it was like going to bed hungry, and knowing there wasn’t going to be any more food in the pantry when I woke up the next day.”
“I know things like that are happening now to families all across the country and right here in Fluvanna County.”
His case shows it’s not just people receiving SNAP benefits struggling right now.
He’s still tweaking the lineup, but the evening will include more than a half-dozen local performers in a free concert including Lost Beach Band, ToBe Fare, Cake Fight, Jen Tal, Carl DeTroia, Jerry Cappa, Jon Zlock, and Ken Harrington.
Though the concert is free, they’re suggesting donations of $10 or more for the food bank.
Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Bistro.
“With delays in federal programs more families are turning to us for help putting food on the table,” said FLRD Food Pantry leader Lorretta Morgan. “Parents, seniors, and working individuals who never expected to need assistance are now reaching out, and we are doing everything we can to meet that need.”
Morgan said the concert will “play a vital role” in supporting the food pantry financially, but it also will “raise awareness about hunger in our community.
She said it reminds everyone that when we come together — through music, generosity, and community spirit — we can make a real difference.
