July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
A helping hand
Food bank to benefit from April 25 concert
A helping hand
"The community's super," said Don Cole of Helping Hand Food Bank.
But these are extraordinary times.
"We're seeing 30 to 45 families a day," said Cole.
That means - even with an expected boost in commodity distributions as part of the economic stimulus package - shelves at the food pantry become empty faster than ever.
But an event planned one week from tonight is aimed at easing that situation.
"Hopefully, we'll get them a month ahead," said organizer Heather Maitlen. "People have always been very generous and done nice things for the food bank. But right now, they need a surge."
That could come next weekend from a free concert by Two:Eight, a musical group with local ties, at the Jay Community Center.
Launched in 2005, Two:Eight centers on former Jay County resident Eric Maitlen and his wife Jillian. The group's music is influenced by groups like Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, Hillsong United, and Desperation Band.
The primary part of Two:Eight's mission involves youth ministry, and the group will be performing a concert the following day at Asbury United Methodist Church. But organizers said the Saturday concert will be secular in nature and aimed at the broader community.
Those attending the Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. concert are asked to bring one or more perishable food items and household items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry and other food banks in the county.
Items needed include rice, beans, dry potatoes, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, pastas, sauces, boxed dinners, paper products, personal hygiene products, baby foods, infant formula, dry milk, disposable diapers, baby wipes, and infants' Tylenol.
Organizers of the concert are collaborating with Jay Schools to have food drop sites in the schools from April 20 to April 30, and many student councils will be conducting their own food drives during that time.
Two:Eight has performed across the U.S. as well as in India, Russia, China, and Germany. The group is finishing its first album-length recording.
Eric Maitlen, who plays guitar and piano and sings, is a Jay County High School graduate with a teaching degree from Indiana University. Months after his graduation from IU, he traveled to India where he worked as a missionary for a year.
Jillian Maitlen, who plays bass guitar and sings, was born in Canada but spent most of her life in Indianapolis. She was an intern for a missions agency there when she and Eric met. The couple married in 2005.
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But these are extraordinary times.
"We're seeing 30 to 45 families a day," said Cole.
That means - even with an expected boost in commodity distributions as part of the economic stimulus package - shelves at the food pantry become empty faster than ever.
But an event planned one week from tonight is aimed at easing that situation.
"Hopefully, we'll get them a month ahead," said organizer Heather Maitlen. "People have always been very generous and done nice things for the food bank. But right now, they need a surge."
That could come next weekend from a free concert by Two:Eight, a musical group with local ties, at the Jay Community Center.
Launched in 2005, Two:Eight centers on former Jay County resident Eric Maitlen and his wife Jillian. The group's music is influenced by groups like Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, Hillsong United, and Desperation Band.
The primary part of Two:Eight's mission involves youth ministry, and the group will be performing a concert the following day at Asbury United Methodist Church. But organizers said the Saturday concert will be secular in nature and aimed at the broader community.
Those attending the Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. concert are asked to bring one or more perishable food items and household items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry and other food banks in the county.
Items needed include rice, beans, dry potatoes, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, pastas, sauces, boxed dinners, paper products, personal hygiene products, baby foods, infant formula, dry milk, disposable diapers, baby wipes, and infants' Tylenol.
Organizers of the concert are collaborating with Jay Schools to have food drop sites in the schools from April 20 to April 30, and many student councils will be conducting their own food drives during that time.
Two:Eight has performed across the U.S. as well as in India, Russia, China, and Germany. The group is finishing its first album-length recording.
Eric Maitlen, who plays guitar and piano and sings, is a Jay County High School graduate with a teaching degree from Indiana University. Months after his graduation from IU, he traveled to India where he worked as a missionary for a year.
Jillian Maitlen, who plays bass guitar and sings, was born in Canada but spent most of her life in Indianapolis. She was an intern for a missions agency there when she and Eric met. The couple married in 2005.
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