STARKVILLE — Community members are invited to bring their families, friends and pets out this Saturday to Rick’s Cafe for a day of music, games and food for Starkville Strong’s inaugural benefit concert.
Proceeds from the event, which will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will support many of Starkville Strong’s programs, including Second Servings, Neighbors Helping Neighbors and The Stronghold.
Brandi Herrington, executive director for Starkville Strong, said the concert comes at a time where the need for donations is greater than ever.
“Donations have plummeted,” Herrington said. “We don’t have enough food for Neighbors Helping Neighbors. We’re going to have to go down to one sack instead of two sacks per family. … What we do is important, and I think that we all can do our part, no matter how big or small that is. Let us keep doing the hard work. Just support us in doing that mission.”
The event will feature five live performances by local musicians including Drew Dieckmann, Jimmy Redd Band, Jason Scafidel, Kyia King and Zac Ashmore. Musicians will perform outside, where attendees can also play cornhole and volleyball. Inside, attendees can play pool and darts.
Although the restaurant will not begin serving food until 5 p.m., the bar will be open for the event, and food trucks will be parked outside for attendees to enjoy.
Ryan Handran, owner of Rick’s Cafe, said he was happy to open the cafe’s doors to support the cause.
“We do as much as we can to help out Starkville in general, but especially Starkville Strong,” Handran said. “We know that when we are working with them, that our efforts are directly benefiting the community. Starkville has been really good to us over the last 31 years, and this is just a little way that we can help back.”
Donations are required to enter the event. Herrington said she encourages a $10 donation minimum, but will allow people to donate whatever they can afford.
“One of the things that makes us unique is that we let everybody get in where they fit in,” Herrington said. “So if all somebody can afford to donate is a few dollars, then we’re grateful for them showing up and just doing what they can.”
People can also donate at the event by sponsoring a song for $50. Attendees can select a song from the event’s set list to be sponsored by a company or dedicated to a person or cause.
Donations can also be made through a silent auction at the event. Some items currently in the auction include one year of pest control at a $500 value and a one-time pressure washing service of $600 value.
Those who can’t attend can still donate by purchasing a pre-event ticket on the Starkville Strong website.
Herrington said she wants to see at least 100 people in attendance and hopes to raise $1,500. Modern Woodmen has agreed to provide a $1,500 match.
“There’s a lot of need,” Herrington said. “… We really try to meet someone where they are and help carry them from crisis to stability. … We want to be able to continue doing that, because every family that we move from instability to stability helps the whole community in multifaceted ways.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
