GladSong Choir to perform benefit concert for Leavenworth’s Feed the Kids program

LEAVENWORTH – GladSong Choir will perform a benefit concert in support of a program that supports Cascade School District students and their families on Oct. 12.

The concert will be held at 3 p.m. at the Snowy Owl Theater. The concert will be free admission, with donations being raised during the performance for the program. 

The Feed the Kids program provides weekly bags of food to students and their families during the school year. The bags are packed with shelf-stable essentials that cover several breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. While the program prioritizes nutritious food, it does make an effort to include seasonal goods and occasional treats. Once packed, the bags are delivered to schools for students to pick up, allowing students to maintain some anonymity.

“It is a very important program for those kids, so that over the weekend they are being fed. It’s very important to their academic success and their well-being, providing nutritious food,” said Feed the Kids volunteer and GladSong member Strode Weaver.

The program is run by community volunteers – many of which are retired educators – and supported through donations. According to Strode, the program is currently packing 55 bags each week, but the number is expected to grow as more students sign up throughout the year.

“We finished last year feeding 73 students every week…We anticipate that we’ll be feeding at least that many as the school year continues,” said Weaver.

When the program started a decade ago, Strode says each bag cost about $8 to $10 dollars; with inflation, the bags now average about $12.

“Every dollar that we raise goes directly to buying the food,” said Weaver.

According to Weaver, GladSong formed in 2021, partnering with charitable organizations to help them fundraise through performances. The choir is made up of about 40 members performing positive music over a range of genres, from pop and country to jazz and gospel. Weaver says the group has everything in its repertoire from “This Little Light of Mine” to “Fly Like an Eagle,” and “Got to Get You Into My Life.” 

“We are not a stand and sing group, we move around a little bit and get the audience participating as well,” said Weaver, noting that the concert is fit for all ages.

In addition to financial support, the Feed the Kids Program is always looking for volunteers to help with packing and delivering bags each week during the school year. To get involved with the backpack program, contact the United Methodist Church at 509-548-5619, or visit leavenworthumc.org.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media