February, 2010 Archive

NEW JERSEY (USA)—New Jersey – home of the 24-hour diner, the “shore,” Bruce Springsteen, “heros,” and Atlantic City. But did you know that many of our newly hungry come from middle class families that were hit hard by the recession and job losses?

Thousands of new clients sought help from New Jersey’s food banks, pantries and soup kitchens last year, while at the same time donations declined by 20%. 

It’s time to do something, and NJ-based rock band, Kindred Souls is embarking on their Whatchagonnado tour to create awareness and donate to the cause.

What we’re doing:  Kindred Souls will perform a 20-minute acoustic set at a diner in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties in a 72-hour period with the goal of raising at least $250 per diner.  “We were surprised to find out that the food bank could provide about one thousand pounds of food to families in need for $250,” explained Kindred Souls keyboardist and songwriter Lon Bachrach. “We decided we needed to raise enough money to help distribute 21 thousand pounds of food – one thousand pounds for every New Jersey county.”

What diners are doing:  Twenty-one diners are opening their doors and wallets to our efforts.  Besides allowing us to use their venue, diners are donating $1 per check during our set and will ask each table of customers to donate a dollar as well.  They will also encourage donations before and after our set.  All proceeds will be given to the NJ Federation of Food Banks.  As an added motivation to contribute, we are including an offer to get free song downloads with every donation. 

Our Goal: 
Raise at least $5,250 in 72 hours for the NJ Federation of Food Banks.   That’s enough money to provide 21 thousand pounds of food. Charitable organizations throughout New Jersey will receive nutritious food supplies to help feed thousands of New Jersey children, seniors and adults.

TOUR DETAILS:

FRIDAY, March 19
MORRIS COUNTY
Morris Diner, TBD……………………………………………………..5:30PM

ESSEX COUNTY
Essex Diner, TBD……………………………………………………… 6:45PM

UNION COUNTY
Westfield Diner, 309 North Ave East Westfield, NJ………….. 8:00PM

SOMERSET COUNTY
Somerset Diner, 1045 Easton Avenue, Somerset, NJ………. 9:30PM

MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Seville Diner, Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ……………. 10:45PM

MONMOUTH COUNTY
Red Oak Diner, 2973 Rt. 35N, Hazlet, NJ …………………………..12AM

SATURDAY, March 20

CAPE MAY COUNTY
Dino’s Seaville Diner, 33 Route 50, Ocean View, NJ………. 8:30AM

CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Cumberland Diner,TBD……………………………………………. 10:00AM

SALEM COUNTY
Elmer Diner, 4915 Hardin Hwy, Elmer, NJ…………………….11:15AM

GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Five Points Diner, 1819 Huffville Rd., Deptford, NJ…………12:30PM

CAMDEN COUNTY
Philly Diner, 31 S BlackHorse Pike, Runnemede, NJ………. 1:30PM

BURLINGTON COUNTY
Mastoris Diner, 144 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ…………….. 3:30PM

MERCER COUNTY
Princetonian Diner, 3509 Route 1, Princeton, NJ…………. …4:30PM

OCEAN COUNTY
Ocean Breeze Diner, 526 Route 9, Waretown, NJ………….. 6:00PM

ATLANTIC COUNTY
Diamond Diner, 6711 W. Washington Egg Harbor, NJ, 8PM

SUNDAY, March 21

HUNTERDON COUNTY
Readington Diner, 452 Rt. 22 West, Whitehouse Station, NJ………….. 9AM

WARREN COUNTY
Belvidere Diner, 475 US 46, Belvidere, NJ………….. 10:15AM

SUSSEX COUNTY
Andover Diner , 193 Main St., Andover, NJ………….. 11:45AM

PASSAIC COUNTY
Park West Diner, 1400 US 46, Little Falls, NJ………….. 1:30PM

BERGEN COUNTY
Saddlebrook Diner , 30 Market Street, Saddlebrook, NJ………….. 2:45PM

HUDSON COUNTY
Hudson Diner, TBD………….. 7PM

About NJ Federation of Food Banks:
The New Jersey Federation of Food Banks, distributed over 27 million pounds of food to more than 1,800 charitable programs serving people in need statewide last year. The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Food Bank of South Jersey, Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, and NORWESCAP Food Bank are members of the federation.

About Kindred Souls:

This New Jersey based rock band Kindred Souls is an original rock band flavored with blues, funk, jazz, and R&B. The founding members of Kindred Souls are lead vocalist and songwriter Jeff Rafferty and keyboardist Lon Bacharach.  The band features bassist Stan Quincy Adams, guitarists Ted Heman and Jeff Samet, and drummer Paul Lavenhar.