The 10th Year Anniversary MOC Food Bank Benefit Concert
sponsored by the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Classical Guitarist David Cohen
Saturday January 26, 2013
Jersey Shore Arts Center
7:30 PM door open at 6:45
92 Lawrence Avenue
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
www.foodbankconcert.org
In 2003 Classical & Flamenco guitarist David Cohen approached the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce regarding sponsorship for a classical guitar concert that would benefit the Monmouth & Ocean Counties Food Bank. They said yes and quickly organized the event for the last Saturday in January 2003. The event was to remind the community about the needs of the food bank after the holiday giving season is over. The event was not expected to go beyond the first year or have the impact it has had that now the event is celebrating its 10th year.
Cohen understands first hand the impact food banks have for people in food crisis. At an early age Cohen’s father abandoned the family propelling his mother and other siblings into years of poverty. Often living without food, heat, electricity and telephone in a house that the City of Philadelphia eventually boarded up David vividly remembers the knock on their boarded up door and the surprised look a from stranger that somebody lived in the house as well as Cohen’s surprise that there was a stranger with a box of food for them. It was the kindness of a neighbor as well who allowed his mother to prepare the food for them in the neighbors kitchen since the Cohen’s were living without utilities.
Fast forward many years David Cohen has always supported food banks. In 1987 after moving to New Jersey David gathered a stock of food to donate. He called the Monmouth County Food bank whom at that time was run by the Sisters of St Catherine in Spring Lake, New Jersey. The Sister he spoke with mistook his inquiry about their hours of operation and replied, “We are closing in a few minutes but if you are hungry I will wait”.
Currently the Monmouth & Ocean Counties Food Bank distributes approximately 7 million pounds of food annually through a network of 260 feeding programs. Since Superstorm Sandy the MOC Food Bank has provided hot meals to displaced families, delivered disaster kits and other critically needed items to some of the regions hardest hit areas and works shoulder to shoulder with many relief agencies involved in the recovery effort.
In Cohen’s efforts to help how he can, both Cohen and the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 10th year anniversary concert on January 26, 2013. The event in addition to David Cohen on classical & flamenco guitar, Chinese pipa and bagpipes will include area favorite’s Jo Wymer vocalist and guitarist, M’Zume Carnival percussion ensemble and the Pipes & Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelagh’s.
Tickets are $12.00 in advance at the Chamber office at 45 Pilgrim Pathway or available online at www.foodbankconcert.org and $15.00 at the door. Online advance purchases are entered into a drawing for a getaway weekend in Ocean Grove. Many of the merchants in Ocean Grove will donate 10% of their gross to the MOC Food Bank on the 26th in support the concert.
Ocean Grove is the Jewel on the Jersey Shore and a 65mile drive from Philadelphia. With the largest concentration of Victorian homes on the East Coast and quaint business district it makes for a great day trip out of the hustle & bustle of the city. Ocean Grove is opened all year and like many towns along the shore has felt a financial impact from the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
information:
www.oceangrovenj.com
or call 732-7741391
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