North Stonington
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Dressed in their signature tie-dyed
T-shirts, L.U.N.C.H. ensemble singers will raise voices and funds
with 30 Wheeler high, middle, and fifth-grade school choristers to
benefit hunger services in
Stonington.
The hunger
awareness concert on Oct. 20 will donate proceeds from ticket
sales to the
Pawcatuck
Neighborhood Center and Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality, among
other agencies. In July, the center found out it would lose 18
percent of its United Way funding because of reduced contributions
to the charity last year.
“We've had what
feels like a punch in the gut,” Vicki Anderson said in reaction to
the news.
Anderson is
executive director of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. In an
average week, the center serves hot lunches to more than 80
seniors and provides more than 400 families with bags of
groceries. It also distributes weekend backpacks of food for
children in need.
The Wheeler
Students in Action (SIA) will sponsor the all-ages family concert.
Bill Pere,
Connecticut state troubadour, will head the L.U.N.C.H. ensemble,
which comprises 30 students and adults from around the region.
Maggie Luckhardt,
a Wheeler High School junior and member of the SIA, designed the
promotional posters.
The SIA club
routinely organizes food drives for local social-service agencies.
Last spring, the club raised funds for a charity that provides
water and food-related services around the world.
“We're hoping
this concert will make a difference close to home,” Luckhardt
said.
Pere founded the
Local United Network to Combat Hunger in 1989 to continue the
musical tradition of Harry Chapin and raise money and awareness
for programs that address basic human needs.
Wheeler
High School junior Katie Castagno is a
L.U.N.C.H. member, but hasn't participated in previous
hunger-awareness events at school. She looks forward to performing
next month with schoolmates.
“It's fun to sing
with different people. You can join the group if you have an
interest in singing and believe in the cause. L.U.N.C.H. ensemble
is great because anyone at any level of singing can take part as
long as you have a positive attitude,” Castagno said.
The program
includes music by Harry Chapin, and Bill and Kaye Pere. Much of
the music has social commentary. Pere said the audience can expect
to hear many Chapin favorites such as “W*O*L*D”, “Dance Band on
the Titanic,” and the ensemble's hallmark closing song, “Circle.”
The Hunger
Awareness Concert will be held at the Wheeler Gymatorium on Route
2, Friday, Oct. 20, from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 (adults),
$5 (12 and under), or $25 per family and can be purchased that
night, from the Wheeler SIA club, or by visiting info@lunchensemble.com.
