HANKSgiving Concert Brings the Tri-State Together to Tackle Hunger

HANKSgiving Concert Brings the Tri-State Together to Tackle Hunger

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

As the nation faces the uncertainty of an impending government shutdown, the Ashland community is stepping up in a big way to support families who may be impacted—especially those relying on SNAP and other food assistance programs. Total Media Radio, Kentucky Bluebird Grill & Pub, Facing Hunger Foodbank, and River Cities Harvest are joining forces for HANKSgiving: Songs for Sustenance, an all-day benefit concert and fundraiser to help provide food for local families in need.

The event will take place on Friday, November 8, at Kentucky Bluebird Grill & Pub in Ashland, Kentucky, with doors opening at 12 p.m. The day will be filled with live music, great food, raffles, and a silent auction—all in the spirit of community and compassion. Admission is simple: guests can bring non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation, with all proceeds benefiting Facing Hunger Foodbank and River Cities Harvest.

“With the government shutdown having not been resolved, people are in need of a way to take action,” said Scott Frasure, Media Consultant for Total Media Group. “What better way to do so than by making a donation that will serve as admission to a great show featuring all of the top talent in the tri-state?”

The concert will feature a powerful lineup of local and regional artists. The Shelby Lore Band will close out the night around 11 p.m., while earlier performances will include Holly Forbes, Huck Brown, Rob McNurlin, Whiskey River Band, and Cody Lee Meece. A Songwriter Roundtable featuring Eddie Riffe, Wakita Young, Jayce Turley, Noel Tarr, and Rick Potter will showcase the area’s storytelling roots and musical artistry.

Adding to the excitement, attendees can participate in raffles and a silent auction that will conclude at 8:45 p.m. The auction will feature a wide variety of donated items, with every dollar raised going directly toward feeding families in need.

For Andrea Allen of River Cities Harvest (RCH), the collaboration could not come at a more critical time. “This shutdown will have a serious impact on many families,” she said. “We’re asking our community to come together—donate food, give what you can, and support one another. Every item and every dollar counts.”

River Cities Harvest, a nonprofit food rescue organization based in Ashland, plays a vital role in combating food insecurity and waste. The organization collects surplus food from local stores, restaurants, and even from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Summit Garden, redistributing it to more than 30 partner agencies across the Tri-State. Their efforts help ensure that good, nutritious food reaches families who need it most. Facing Hunger Foodbank, meanwhile, serves as the region’s largest hunger relief organization and is affiliated with Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger relief network. Through its network of over 300 partner pantries and agencies, Facing Hunger distributes food to approximately 130,000 individuals, including 37,000 children, across 12 West Virginia counties, four counties in northeastern Kentucky, and Lawrence County, Ohio.

“During these uncertain times for everyone, any effort to join communities together to support one another, as well as our neighbors needing food resources, is an effort that will result in transformational outcomes,” said Cynthia Kirkhart, CEO of Facing Hunger Foodbank. “We are grateful for this partnership and the gracious giving it generates. In all things, truly, #togetherwearefacinghunger.”

The event’s name, HANKSgiving, pays tribute to Hank FM (105.7), Total Media’s local country station. To capture the day’s highlights, KoolTV will have a video crew on site recording performances and interviews, with a special rebroadcast planned for their YouTube channel in the following weeks.

In addition to attending the event, supporters can drop off donations directly at River Cities Harvest, located at 2516 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY, or give online at www.theneighborhood-ashland.org/rivercitiesharvest. The organization also shares updates and volunteer opportunities via Facebook at facebook.com/rivercitiesharvest.

As families brace for economic challenges tied to the shutdown, HANKSgiving: Songs for Sustenance offers a shining example of how music and community can come together to make a difference. With every can of food, every song, and every act of generosity, Ashland and the Tri-State are proving that compassion is stronger than crisis—and that together, no neighbor has to face hunger alone.