Valerie’s Lounge hosts concert for food bank
Valerie’s Lounge at 17264 San Carlos Blvd. is feeding the hungry. The popular Indian Creek Plaza bar is hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, July 17, for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Bands will begin to take the stage at 2 p.m. with Long Story Short; followed by headliner Strange Arrangement at 3:30; The Drunk Monkeys at 5; the T.J. Kelly Band at 7; Jeff “carbomb” Lyons at 8; and Wholetones at 9; followed by The Pillow Tramp band. Jet Sound is donating all sound and lighting for the event.
Cover charge for the show is a simple donation of a minimum of five nonperishable food items such as canned food or $5 to serve as admission for the great cause. A raffle for a Fender Strato Caster guitar -the winning ticket number will be drawn at 8 p.m- is being donated by Rick’s Music.
Florida Gulf Coast University student Nick Forster and project partner Martin Walsh are responsible for organizing the benefit event. As part of his Civic Engagement class at FGCU, Forster was asked to select and become involved with a non-profit organization.
“I was surprised it was actually so easy to put together,” he said. “It really just took some leg work. I’m happy to make a difference in my community.”
Forster, who plays bass for the Steve Farst Trio, may jump on stage to join the other bands. He recalls talk with his father about the dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger.
“I chose Harry Chapin Food Bank because I am a local musician, and my dad used to tell me about Harry Chapin and how he used to donate proceeds from his shows,” he said. “I thought it was really fitting to use his food bank as a charity benefactor.”
Other reasons Forster selected the Harry Chapin Food Bank involved the increase in unemployment, economic recession, and the recent winter freeze which has increased the need for food banks in the area. He chose the venue because “Valerie’s really cool and understanding and is willing to help out” when needed.
“If I call her to say I need raffle tickets, she has them,” said Fortster. “She’s very helpful.”
Valerie Van Selow, owner of Valerie’s Lounge, is anxious for the event.
“Nick has played at Valerie’s before, and I think he thought it would be a good location for the benefit,” she said. “I’m really eager to help out.”
Van Selow, who also works at her parents’ Beach establishment Mermaid Lounge and Liquors, is excited to pitch in for the fundraising event.
“I love throwing benefits at the bar,” she said. “It’s always a good time. We really have a good venue for those sorts of things. Harry Chapin Food Bank is one of the best nonprofit groups out there.”
The Harry Chapin Food Bank solicits, collects and stores quality food for distribution to families in need through a network of more than 170 local nonprofit agencies in Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte and Glades counties, who provide food to more than 20,000 people monthly; 675,000 pounds of food are distributed monthly. In the past fiscal year, The Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed more than eight million pounds of food and other grocery products.
For more information about the benefit concert, call Forster at 834-9132. To help in contributions or find out more about the Harry Chapin Food Bank, call 334-7007 or go to harrychapinfoodbank.org. Since 1983, the Harry Chapin Food Bank has served as the only Food Bank in Southwest Florida (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties).