Serves more than 240,000 meals a year
The Thomas Merton Center Sponsors “Rock Out Hunger” Concert
Bridgeport . . . The young and the young at heart are invited to gather for a good time and a good cause at the “Rock Out Hunger” concert at the Fairfield Theatre Company on Friday, November 30.
The gala event, with music by The Subscribers, will benefit Bridgeport’s Thomas Merton Center, home of the largest soup kitchen and one of the busiest food pantries in the state, located at Madison and Washington avenues in what was once St. Joseph’s church.
Mark Grasso, Director of the Merton Center and vice president of Catholic Charities, said the Merton Center serves more than 240,000 meals a year to its guests.
“We serve breakfast and lunch six days a week in our House of Hospitality,” he said. “Also, individuals and families may ‘shop’ once a month for five days worth of groceries at our St. Stephen’s Food Pantry.
“We’re calling this the ‘Rock Out Hunger’ concert,” he said, “to underscore the reality that these are tough times and that many in our community might go hungry without our help.
“And,” he added, “we’re’ calling on our friends and supporters of all faiths to help us in this ministry.”
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Debbie Stokes, Pantry Coordinator at St. Stephen’s, said the pantry, which puts an emphasis on distributing fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grained foods and healthy prepared foods, has seen a 40% increase in the amount of visitors in the last year.
She said the food pantry is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.
Bonnie Candee, vice chair of the Merton Center’s Advisory Board, said The Subscribers are a not-for-profit band that performs without charge for “charities working for a better world.” Over the past seven years they’ve helped raise more than $8 million for dozens of charities in the United States and abroad.
“They play the best party pop rock classics,” she said, “and their antics turn every performance into a party you don’t want to miss.”
She said the intermission will include a live auction of a Les Paul model guitar, signed by Les Paul; another guitar signed by members of The Rascals and Vanilla Fudge; and an original script and framed poster from the hit show “30 Rock,” both signed by the entire cast.
The event is underwritten by Mark and Pennie Kelly of Fairfield. Sponsors include the Sheila Clancy family, Anne and Joe Mulcahy, and Kathy and Bob Russo, all of Fairfield. Additional sponsors are John.
Gerlach of the Wine Zone on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield, Guy Hatfield of the Hatfield Insurance Agency, also in Fairfield, and Al Martins of Shelton.
VIP tickets at $75 include admission to the pre-show cocktail reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m., including a complimentary glass of wine provided by The Wine Zone on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield. Tickets for concert admission only are $45. For reservations and tickets, call the Fairfield Theatre Company at
203-259-1036 or go to www.fairfieldtheatre.org.
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11/9/2012
