Food Fight event aims to end hunger to the tune of bands

Soy protein. Dehydrated vegetables. Chicken tablet. Rice.

Mixed together, those ingredients make up each of the 20,000 meals local volunteers aim to package from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday during “Food Fight,” a concert and fundraiser to fight world hunger at Amazement Square’s Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark.

During the Food Fight, students from Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg College, Randolph College and Sweet Briar College will team up and compete to see who can pack meals the fastest.

The meals will be distributed by Stop Hunger Now, a nonprofit organization based out of Raleigh, N.C., and founded by former Bedford resident Ray Buchanan, who will speak at the event.

Over the past year, Stop Hunger Now has sent meals to schools, orphanages and emergency relief areas in dozens of countries worldwide, said Troy Henson, program coordinator for Lynchburg and the western half of Virginia. This year, more than 1 million meals have left from the Lynchburg warehouse on Odd Fellows Road.

“I’m hoping that it will bring the name of Stop Hunger Now more out into the Lynchburg area,” Henson said of Saturday’s event.

As the students pack meals, more than eight bands will play live music and local skaters will show off their moves at the skatepark.

The event is produced by Sacred River Productions, a new Lynchburg-based group that seeks to “unite grassroots movements with grassroots music,” said Lenny Craig, who heads up the effort.

“Our mission is to produce and promote benefit concerts and festivals to raise funds and awareness for nonprofits as well as causes that may not have a nonprofit backing them,” Craig said.

Connecting music fans to nonprofit causes is Sacred River Productions’ major goal.

The headliner of Saturday’s event is Graham Whorley, a Charleston, S.C.-based singer with ties to the Lynchburg area. The other bands come from the Central Virginia region and cover a variety of genres, including ska punk, bluegrass, indie rock and singer/songwriter.

Admission to the event is free for volunteers. For the rest, it’s $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Event organizers are still looking for volunteers. They will also be looking for food donations for the Lynchburg Area Food Bank at the event.

Tickets are available at Amazement Square, CVCC, Lynchburg College, Randolph College, Rivermont Pizza, Sweet Briar College, Speakertree Records and Fresh Air Natural Foods. Visit http://www.sacredriverpresents.org for more information.