Amateur singers who want to show off their talents in front of an audience and help people in need of food can do both Saturday in downtown Irwin.
Those who want to participate in the 14th annual Sing for Their Supper from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the arch at Fourth and Main Street, are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or make a monetary donation to the Westmoreland County Food Bank, said Gail Macioce of Irwin, organizer of the event.
Canisters also will be placed in businesses in downtown Irwin for those who want to donate to the food bank, Macioce said.
The karaoke backup will be provided for the singers by a disc jockey, Diamond Dave, said Macioce, a member of Irwin Borough council.
“He will bring complete background tracks with all the songs,” Macioce said.
Macioce, a singer, said she will participate and she has “a line on somebody” — a special singer — who will perform at Sing for Their Supper.
Over the years, Sing for Their Supper has collected more than 3,000 pounds of nonperishable food for the county food bank, Macioce said. That need for help remains.
“Things are tighter now in the community than ever before,” Macioce said during an Irwin Council meeting.
While it is great to collect so much nonperishable food items, Macioce said that can present some challenges to transporting it to the food bank warehouse in Delmont, Macioce said.
“It’s a labor of love,” Macioce said of organizing the event.
“Gail Macioce and the folks from Sing for Their Supper have supported the food bank for many, many years. Their dedication to helping their community and helping their fellow man basically is just phenomenal. It is great way to get the word out about how the community can help their neighbors to get the food they need in a fun way,” said Jennifer Miller, chief executive officer of the county food bank.
“We truly appreciate their efforts,” Miller said.