The Seventh Annual Concert to Feed the Need in Durham on SUNDAY, December 8, 2024, that featured musicians from across the Durham Region at The BILTMORE THEATRE in Oshawa, was another huge success, thanks to Joe Solway from the Rotary Club of Bowmanville and the other 6 Rotary Clubs in Durham Region. Proceeds went to help feed their neighbours in the seventh annual Concert to Feed the Need in Durham. As in past years, the event showcased an award-winning line-up of performers from a cross-section of genres – pop, country, R&B, gospel, folk, classical and more.
The event’s scope has grown over the years, becoming a Durham-wide Rotary event, with the Rotary clubs in Durham Region joining as co-presenters. Proceeds from the concert went to Feed the Need in Durham – and the need has never been greater. The agency collects and distributes food and other essential items to more than 65 emergency food providers across Durham, including food banks, shelters, meal and snack programs and other social service agencies. Please Read more....
The inaugural concert was presented in December 2018 by the Bowmanville Rotary Club and staged live, with two shows in the auditorium of the Bowmanville High School, for which the club received District 7070’s Tibor Gregor Community Service Award. That was followed in 2019 by a live event in the BHS aud., but last year, due to Covid, the concert was on line – as a telethon. This year, with the easing of restrictions, the show will be a hybrid -- in-person (with vaccination requirements), along with a virtual option.
The event’s scope has grown over the years, becoming a Durham-wide Rotary event, with the Rotary clubs in the Region so far joining as co-presenters. “It’s so gratifying to see the power of Rotary, and what we can do working together.” said the concert’s producer, Bowmanville Rotarian Joe Solway.
Here's Joe to tell you in his own words:"
In September 2018, my first year as a Bowmanville Rotarian, I got the idea that our club could raise finds to help ease hunger in our community by holding a concert in support of the organization "Feed the Need in Durham". They distribute food to agencies like food banks and shelters. Our club threw its whole-hearted support behind the project, seeing it through with countless volunteer hours; musicians - who are among the most generous folks anywhere - came on board, donating their time and talent; members of other other Rotary Clubs in Durham bought tickets by the dozens, as did the public; and the first "Concert to Feed the Need on Durham" was staged in the auditorium of the Bowmanville High School.
On Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the Biltmore Theatre in downtown Oshawa, Ontario Canada, award winning artists from right here in Durham Region entertained concert goers to over two hours of fantastic music, with all of the proceeds going to Feed The Need in Durham .
The numbers are in and I'm pleased to announce that the annual Concert to Feed the Need in Durham took in over $30,000 to help feed our neighbours in need -- at a time when the need has never been greater. All proceeds from the event -- presented by Rotary Clubs of Durham -- go to Feed the Need in Durham, which collects and distributes food and other essential items to its 65 members across the Region -- food banks, shelters and others. For every dollar donated, Feed the Need can provide 3 meals to those in need. Each year, Feed The need in Durham distributes 2 million pounds of food, helping to provide nutritious meals to thousands of individuals who are experiencing food insecurity.
Thanks to all who made it happen -- our concert committee sponsors, ticket buyers, Rotarians and other community members, the folks at the Biltmore Theatre, our partners at Feed the Need, our hosts from Durham Radio and of course our incredible lineup of artists, without whom there is no show. I've always said that musicians are among the most generous people anywhere, and they prove it, year after year.
Wishing all a wonderful holiday season.
- from Joe Solway, Bowmanville Rotarian and Producer of the Concert to Feed the Need in Durham.
Thank you to Bowmanville Rotary member Joe Solway for creating and producing this 7th annual event, that was co-hosted by 7 Rotary Clubs in Durham Region: The Rotary Clubs of Bowmanville, Oshawa, Oshawa-Parkwood, Whitby, Whitby Sunrise, Pickering and Uxbridge..
Mayors Dan Carter (Oshawa), and Adrian Foster (Clarington) along with many councilors and MPP's were on hand to lend their support.
Ben Erle, Executive Director of Feed the Need Durham was on hand to tell everyone about Feed The Need and thanked everyone, including the many generous sponsors, for their tremendous support.
KX96FM's Jerry Archer and CKDO's Chris Koppin emceed the show that featured Cale Crowe, Matt Doran, Andy Erle, New Moon Junction, David Shewchuck and Kalista Wilson.
Thank you to Michael Adams (Neighbour Today) and Oshawa's Randy Nickerson, and many Rotarians for some absolutely, fantastic photos .
