Local musicians are coming together this holiday season to help fill the shelves of two Chatham-Kent community organizations as the Holiday Jam for Hunger returns later this month.
The annual event takes place Saturday, Dec. 27, at Sons of Kent Brewing Company in Chatham, with all proceeds going to Hope House – Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent Outreach for Hunger. Musicians from across the community will take the stage to raise much-needed funds, continuing a tradition that began in 2004 and has been held every year since, moving online during 2020 and 2021.
For the past 14 years, the concert has been organized by local musician Alysson Storey. While different community organizations have benefited over the years, the focus shifted to food insecurity several years ago as the need has continued to grow.
“All of the participating musicians have strong connections to Chatham-Kent and generously share their talents to benefit Chatham-Kent organizations. It’s thanks to them the annual Holiday Jam for Hunger shows have raised close to $40,000 now for local charities. With the news earlier this year from Chatham-Kent Public Health that many people in CK don’t have enough money to buy food, the need is greater than ever,” Storey said.
Many of this year’s performers have been involved with the event in previous years, including headliner 40 Hours Over. The local powerhouse band features Ben Barnard on bass and vocals, Matt Roberts on lead guitar and vocals, and Trent Jeffrey on drums. The group played its first public show at the Holiday Jam in 2022 and has since gained momentum across southern Ontario.
Opening the evening will be Cole Pereira, a solo guitarist and vocalist known locally for acoustic takes on rock and roll, country and pop favourites. The Dave Trinca Xperience will follow, with Dave Trinca on lead vocals and guitar, Dave French on bass, Andrew Payne on drums, Alysson Storey on fiddle and backing vocals, and Nick Novosad on keyboard. The band’s set includes a mix of rock and roll, progressive rock and modern classics.
This year’s event is generously sponsored by Sons of Kent Brewing and an anonymous donor. Holiday Jam for Hunger begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Sons of Kent Brewing, 27 Adelaide St. S., Chatham. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds supporting Hope House – Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent Outreach for Hunger.
