“Music for Hunger” benefit is Tuesday, Nov. 4

Fredonia, N.Y. — October 27, 2008 — SUNY Fredonia will be holding its first “Music for Hunger” benefit competition on Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall within Mason Hall. The event, which is part of “Making a Difference for Hunger Week,” is open to students, faculty and the general public.

The “Music for Hunger” benefit competition is sponsored by the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in partnership with World Vision of Greater New York with their division of Campuses Create Change and the Dunkirk United Methodist Church food pantry.

The competition is open to SUNY Fredonia folk, rock or light alternative groups, either large or small. Contestant bands or ensembles contribute $10 and a canned food item at sign-up. Judges for the competition are School of Music faculty members Jim Piorkowski, Tom Gestwicki, and Gordon Root. Judging will be based on the band’s stage presence, skill and performance of one of five selected songs about “change” that were chosen by the judges.

Money and food raised through the course of the week will be divided between children and youth in the war-torn Gulu province of Uganda and the needs of women, children and families in Dunkirk. The families will be cared for through the efforts of the food pantry of the Dunkirk United Methodist Church.

“Everyone wants to make a difference in their world somehow,” said Dr. Marc Guy, School of Music French horn professor and coordinator of the event. “We look at the massive problems of the world, but also see that we have many substantial community problems, including our own individual, internal and spiritual hunger.”

The Music for Hunger Benefit Competition will charge $5 and one canned food item at the door for all attendees. Additional money or canned food items are welcome. All money and food raised will be donated entirely to World Vision of Greater New York and the Dunkirk United Methodist Food Pantry.

“Through this benefit, we really hope to draw everyone’s attention to the reality that together we can make a change and take some concrete steps to improve something global and also very local,” Dr. Guy added. “It’s right for us also to think about how we can address hunger on our own deeply personal, spiritual level.”

For more information on the World Vision for the Greater New York Area, visit www.worldvision.org. To find out more about Campuses Create Change, visit www.firstgiving.com/campusescreatechange.

“Hunger Week,” being held Nov. 3 to Nov. 7, will be attempting to raise awareness and encourage people to take action against hunger on world, local and personal levels. Several additional events are scheduled for the week and are open to students, faculty, and community members. The events include:

• "Hunger Room - Canned Food Drive.” The canned food drive will be held between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 3 to Thursday, Nov. 6, in room G-142 of the Williams Center. Displays about the history and current realities of Uganda and the Dunkirk food pantry will offer specific action steps for visitors to make a difference. 
• "On the Move for Hunger.” Participants can be sponsored by friends to dance and jump to music while donating to the cause from 8 to 9 p.m., Wednesday Nov. 5, in room 209 of McEwen Hall. 
• “Celebrating the Difference.” An announcement and celebration of the accomplishments and finalists from the week-long music benefit competition will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, in room 202 of McEwen Hall.