Music fundraiser at Paris Pub supports Salvation Army Food Bank

Jim Young stands beside overflowing bin of nonperishable food donations at Sobeys, which will be sent to the Salvation Army later this month. 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Local musicians, businesses and volunteers came together just ahead of the holidays to help ensure families in need will have access to food well into the new year.

A live music fundraiser held Dec. 21 at the Paris Pub brought in nearly 750 pounds of food and just over $700 in cash donations for the Salvation Army Food Bank, filling a critical gap at a time when demand traditionally rises after the holiday season.

The afternoon event was spearheaded by Jim Young of the Jim Young Band and supported by the Paris Pub, which hosted a packed house of community residents who turned out to support the cause.

“It was incredible to see how many people showed up and how generous everyone was,” said Young. The goal, he said, was to make sure the shelves stay stocked after Christmas, when money is often tight for a lot of families.

The Jim Young Band was joined on stage by Kings of Adequate, delivering several hours of live music that helped turn the fundraiser into both a celebration and a show of community solidarity.

Local businesses also played a key role. Sobeys Paris has committed to matching the food donations and is working directly with the Salvation Army to ensure the cash contributions are used as effectively as possible.

“We’re going to secure some of the most needed items at great cost,” said Jackee Mills, Franchisee of Sobeys Paris. “Will Ratelband from the Salvation Army is going to work with us to identify exactly what’s needed,” she shared. The goal is to try to stretch those dollars as far as they can. 

Additional support for the fundraiser came from Fit Effect Gym, adding to the collective effort to help meet rising food insecurity in the community.

The timing of the initiative was intentional, as food bank usage often increases in January and February once holiday donations taper off.

The collected donations are expected to be delivered to the food bank later this month.