For the second year in a row, the San Carlos Community Garden (SCCG) is hosting their free Stuff the Pantry Summer Concert Series presented by Aloha Solar which will be held on Friday evenings from 6-8 p.m. – July 19, Aug. 16, and Sept. 20.
Each concert will feature talent from three local artists. The concert is free, however concert goers are asked to bring non-perishable food donations to be donated to the Good Shepherd Food Pantry.
Award-winning San Diego-based vocalist and songwriter Sandé Lollis has helped organize a number of the SCCG’s music-focused events and this year is no exception.
For Lollis, “Music opens the door to new possibilities and greater community involvement. It brings me immense joy and fulfillment to witness the collective efforts of everyone involved with the garden, whether they’re sharing their harvest with those in need or organizing food donations.”
Although the evening will focus on musical performances, the concert series has a major mission: to help aid those who are facing hunger in our community.
Close to 800,000 locals are nutrition insecure
The San Diego Food Bank estimated in 2023 that of the city’s 3.2 million residents, 795,000 are nutrition insecure.
Food banks also face their greatest need for donations during the summertime — as families with children who had been receiving free or reduced-cost breakfast and/or lunch at school need to find a way to replace those meals during summer break. They often turn to their local food bank or pantry for assistance, said food service program Move for Hunger.
“Most of us take access to food for granted, but there are a lot of people in our community who need help to feed themselves and their family,” said SCCG Board Chair Kelly Wood. “We’re excited to put on a Summer Concert series that will bring the community together for such an important cause while enjoying an evening of friendship and really great music in the garden.”
One of the performers taking the stage on July 19 is two-time San Diego Music Award winner Lindsay White.
Her LP ‘Lights Out’ debuted at #2 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts and was named #1 Album of the Year by Global Texan Chronicles. White is additionally a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community and has performed at numerous advocacy events, including headlining Moab Pride.
“I’m excited to perform at the garden again this year, alongside friends who are also playing on the same date, which makes it that much more enjoyable,’ White said. “It’s such a beautiful location and playing outside is one of my favorite things to do. I also have been writing up a storm this year, so I’m looking forward to bringing some of those new songs to the audience there.”
White further stated that the concert’s mission to help aid food insecurity is aligned with her own beliefs. “Cost of living has gotten so out of hand here in San Diego, that any action that helps people stay afloat is something I want to be involved with,” she said. “I may not be able to provide monetary help, but at least I have my musical gift to put a little drop in the bucket.”
Jeff Berkley, another community member taking the SCCG stage, is a celebrated musician known for his contributions to the local music scene. Berkley is a key member of the bands Berkley Hard and Jeff Berkley & The Banned. Like White, this cause holds personal meaning.
“My family and I spent some time experiencing homelessness and I did on my own as well,” Berkley said. “I’ve been really lucky and had a lot of help along the way. I’m at the point now where I can actually do something to help and it feels really good.”
The SCCG began donating food grown and harvested from the garden to the Good Shepherd Food Pantry in 2022. Then, in 2023, with grant help from Blue Shield of California and many volunteers, the SCCG Food Bank garden was constructed.
“Our Food Bank Garden consists of six plots strictly used for growing food for the Food Pantry,” Wood said. “Right now we have tomatoes, peppers, kale, chard, onions, squash and herbs that are close to harvest time. It’s a great day when we get to pass the bounty on to those in need. That’s what ‘growing community is all about.”
Moreover, Julia Sage of ‘Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres’ will also be performing alongside White and Berkley.
Sage is known for her solo, duo, and trio performances throughout San Diego, as well as her incorporation of sound healing, native flutes, and ancient vocals. In 2019, she was nominated for Best New Artists by the San Diego Music Awards, Best Folk Song in 2021 for her album ‘Midnight Songs in the Time of Corona Vol. 1’, and Best Pop Song in 2022 for her single ‘I Shouldn’t Stay.’
“I’m excited to return to this series and be able to perform alongside my longtime friends Julia and Jeff,” Sage said. “I love any event that combines local art with community care, so I am thrilled to be a part of this series that encourages people to come together around a shared goal of food and wealth redistribution to help under-resourced neighbors.”
The July performance will also have a food truck service by Surf Me a Taco.
The SCCG’s Stuff the Pantry Summer Concert Series will continue with performances by Astra Kelly, Sandé Lollis, and Omar Musisko in August, while Cathryn Beeks, Peter Bolland, and Micah Justice will perform in September.
Garden gates will open at 5 p.m. for those who want to get a good seat. Bring your own chair.
A complete list of performers, concert information, garden happenings, and more is located at https://www.sancarloscommunitygarden.com/.
