Singing for Your Supper

Food banks are an essential service in small towns. Now more than ever, they provide a necessary lifeline for people already struggling to make ends meet. They rely on volunteers and donations to function.

With people still relatively isolated and little chances of congregating for any large events, three ambitious gentlemen decided it would be nice to give people a bit of entertainment and at the same time try and collect a few bucks for the local food bank.

Coe Commisso had started playing drums just a few weeks ago. He contacted Dan Howe, already an accomplished musician in hope of forming a group that would then tour around town for a special evening of music and fun. They approached Logan Labbe and asked if he would be interested in joining them. They began rehearsing and still were unsure of how or when they would unleash their talent on the town.

Laura Commisso, Coe’s wife, decided that if they were going to go out on tour they should try and raise money for the food bank. Equipment was arranged and a date set. They would practice in a friend’s garage until they felt they were confident to go out in public. Schreiber Media Centre was there to record the event.

The big day arrived and Local Journalism Initiative reporter Kim Krause met up with them as they were going through a last minute sound check. Dan explained the motivation behind the tour. Coe was trying to remain anonymous decked out in a hockey shirt, sunglasses and a face mask. Logan took his spot on the trailer that would also be their mobile stage and they were off.

Kim says "I admired their bravery. Here were three people with very little experience and next to no indication of how they would be received, out on the road performing in front of anyone who would listen."

They proceeded along their route, street by street, stopping only for a few minutes to greet and play a few tunes. Laura was joined by Linda McNeill and Sandy Romanick with pails in hand to facilitate the collecting. Lloyd Whitton, the chauffeur for the evening, did his best to make sure the precious cargo behind his truck arrived safely at all their locations. By the time the band had played its last song the sun had set, making it difficult to read their music but they persisted under the light of the street lamps.

The next day they would be presenting the food bank with their winnings. Aida McParland and Linda Collinson of the North Shore Harvest Cupboard graciously accepted the cheque for the nights earnings. Over three thousand dollars had been collected, with more coming from pledges and bank transfers.

The boys in the band pulled off an amazing feat, and the generosity of the town of Schreiber was on full display. Congratulations to everyone involved in stepping up to help out in what was a memorable evening.