Benefit concert helps Dickinson food pantry

"If Music Be the Food" is a benefit concert series that started in Rochester, New York, and made its way to Dickinson through a DSU faculty member.

"I've always wanted to do more than just the little things I've been able to do here and there to help those who struggle with poverty, and this seemed like a great opportunity as a musician to give something back," says Kelsey Rodgers, artistic director.

Community members are invited to come out, listen to music, and donate non-perishable food items, or give cash donations.

All proceeds go to Amen Food Pantry, which is most in need of donations in February and the late summer.

"Everybody does it prior to Thanksgiving and Christmas and those holidays, which is a blessing for the pantry, but then comes February and those winter months, and people are cold and they're staying indoors, and they're just not thinking of hungry people," says Susie Kapelovitz, Amen Food Pantry Manager.​

The pantry received 264 pounds of food, and more than $100 from February's performance.

"Tonight we're just hoping to exceed that. We have a very generous community in Dickinson, and I'm sure that people will give as much as they can," says Rodgers.

The concert includes music ranging from jazz, to classical, to folk songs.

Rodgers plans to hold the concert again next February.