Band sings for food banks’ suppers

Local musicians are teaming up with food banks in the Central Okanagan to support the growing demand for food aid in the community since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

On June 5, the group Strolling Bones will perform live on Facebook and YouTube, allowing viewers to interact with MCs and donate to the food banks in real time.

“We’ve seen a 27 per cent increase in new client registrations and demand for food,” Lawrence East of the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank said. “It’s an unprecedented increase.”

East said both the Kelowna and West Kelowna food banks usually support 4,000 clients but the increase may kick it up to 5,000 once federal and provincial COVID relief programs end.

The musical fundraiser is called Banding Together and, if successful, East said other bands will perform similar live, online concerts.

The first concert will be streamed live on Friday, June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m, on both Facebook and YouTube.

The Strolling Bones play old-time rock ‘n roll and classic country and there will be special guest appearances from Rick ‘Poppa Dawg’ Halisheff as well as Gail and Karl Hourigan.

The live link will enable viewers to donate directly to the foodbanks and be issued tax receipts.

Anyone wishing to donate early can do so here.