Feed the Need concert benefits Flathead Food Bank

The Flathead Food Bank holds its third annual Feed the Need benefit concert on Oct. 24.  

The event at the Red Lion Hotel includes a night full of sweet melodies featuring hit television show “The Voice” contestants Tommy Edwards, Clint Sherman, Benny Weag, and Joseph Martinez. Admission to the event will be “pay what you can,” and attendees are encouraged to donate at the door. 

The Flathead Food Bank serves 19 schools and supports nine standing school pantries. Despite dedicated efforts, a staggering one in six kids in the Flathead Valley continues to face food insecurity, highlighting the urgent need for community support and resources to combat this growing crisis. 

The impacts of child hunger extend beyond just empty stomachs; they affect academic performance, emotional well-being, and future opportunities, organizers note. This hardship in Flathead Valley communities requires immediate attention to increase children’s access to nutritious food. 

In 2022 and 2023, Feed the Need attendees raised $117,723 to assist the Flathead Food Bank in providing food and necessities to the community. This year, the food bank has set a goal to raise $35,000 at Feed the Need to address issues of child hunger.  

The concert is presented by title sponsor and community member, Lucy Smith. Smith is committing to match funds raised at the door up to $10,000 for the third year in a row. Her generous donation, coupled with Feed the Need’s 16 sponsors, covers the cost of the event to ensure that the dollars raised support the Flathead Food Bank’s initiative to Feed the Need and feed the kids. 

“What I love most about the Feed the Need concert is that the community is making a positive impact on Flathead Valley kids’ lives one event, one platter, and one act of kindness at a time,” said Chris Sidmore, executive director of the Flathead Food Bank. “With this funding, we can increase our support in schools, so no kid goes hungry.” 

The event will feature a full bar and light snacks. Limited seating will be available. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m.  

Donations may be provided via cash, check, PayPal, or Squarespace. Donations may be made in advance online at https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLNA351JTMMJG/checkout/CEMCOYMEHAYMAMM4HXIFXM4X?src=webqr. Note that donations are for Feed the Need. 

Lucy Smith is joined in this fundraising effort by numerous other sponsors including Big Sky Public Relations, Glacier Bank, Flathead Electric, Systems Northwest, Flathead Lake Brewing, Edward Jones – Adam Heggelund, First Interstate Bank, Payne West – Marsh McLennon, and WGM.