The guitars are tuned, the drums are wound tight and The S'Aints band members are resting their vocal cords ahead of Friday's annual Sleighing Hunger Holiday Charity Concert.
But the band, along with representatives from Caesars Windsor Cares and St. Clair College, took time Wednesday to announce the grand total of funds raised for area food banks.
Members of the S'Aints band are joined by representatives from Caesars Windsor Cares and St. Clair College at Augustus Hall to announce the Sleighing Hunger fundraising total for 2024. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
Thanks to incredible community response and donations from St. Clair College, the College's Alumni Association and Caesars Windsor Cares, the Windsor-Essex Food Bank Association and Chatham Outreach for Hunger will receive $115,224 to share amongst 16 food banks in the region.
"The concert has as incredible history in the community, now totalling over $670,000 to feed those in need since 2013," said Caesars Windsor Manager of PR and Communications, Susanne Tomkins.
The need for food is great in the community, as food banks are reporting demand is at an all-time high.
"Numbers are growing. More families are registering for the first time, they never thought they'd need to use a food bank, and children are going to school hungry," said Brenda LeClair, executive director of Chatham Outreach for Hunger. "You're doing your part to make sure that we can make life much easier for those families."
Jeff Burrows, who plays drums for the S'Aints band said the concert is a holiday fellowship and celebration, but at its root, is raising funds for this very deserving cause.
"Selfishly, I get to play with these incredible players every year and get to do something that gives back to the community. It hardly feels like giving because we have so much fun with each other," said Burrows. "We have such passion for being able to work hand-in-hand with the likes of the College and Caesars."
St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi asked everyone to make a pledge - perhaps a New Year's resolution - to make regular donations to area food banks outside of the holiday season.
"The dilemma of hunger is a year-round crisis for far too many individuals and families in our community," President Silvaggi said. "The S'Aints concert has for years brought both intensive attention and generous fiscal assistance to bear upon this problem. But please, let's remember that sadly, hunger and homelessness too are year-round in nature."
Silvaggi noted the money raised by the Sleighing Hunger concert is not sufficient to keep the shelves stocked with food for the next 12 months but said regular donations of money or in-kind services will help families in need.
"Today, and in the months to come, we can all be Saints by ensuring that no one in our community lacks essential nutrition," said President Silvaggi.
The all-ages Sleighing Hunger holiday show is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. in the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor. Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased through caesarswindsor.com, ticketmaster.ca, and the Caesars Windsor Box Office on Show Day from noon to 10 p.m.
