A local church and several community choirs are joining forces to host a benefit concert on Saturday to raise funds and collect food for those in need during the holiday season. The concert will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is open to the public, with admission being just a can or bag of food or a new toy. All goods will be donated to the Turlock Salvation Army.
The idea to host a benefit concert stemmed from Hughson High Choir Director Brad Thompson. Thompson explained that a recent news article stating that the Salvation Army is currently giving five times more food assistance than at any point during the COVID-19 pandemic concerned him. He took his concern to Captain Jeff Breazeale of the Salvation Army and Michelle Belloli of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After discussion, they began collaborating with music and choir directors and coordinators Debra Mangrum and Ron Stone before deciding to host a benefit concert.
The event will feature performances from the Pitman High School Madrigals, the Hughson High School Sound Investment, the Turlock Community Gospel Choir, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Turlock Stake Choir and the Modesto Junior College Concert Choir.
“The current economic recession brought on by the pandemic has thrown more families into food insecurity,” said Belloli. “All food and toy donations will be given to the Salvation Army of Turlock to help them with upcoming food and holiday needs. This concert will thank all the community members that generously donate and care about their neighbors throughout Turlock and surrounding communities.”
Lissette Maunakea is the social services director for the Salvation Army and believes that the benefit concert will make a positive impact. She explained that the help to battle hunger is greatly appreciated.
“We want to thank everyone for all they are doing to help those in our community with food insecurity.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located at 4200 Geer Road in Turlock. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m.
