Musical acts from across the state are banding together to create an album, Music to Feed the Soul, to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. The album is available for digital download via Bandcamp at musictofeedthesoul.bandcamp.com.
Proceeds from the $12 album will go to the nonprofit, which is experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand for services due to the impacts of COVID-19.
In March, the Foodbank distributed an extra 370,000 pounds of food to meet the increased need caused by this pandemic in the aftermath of rampant disruption and record job losses.
In April, the Foodbank was on track to distribute 1.6 million pounds of food, a 78-percent increase over normal.
With locations in Brattleboro, Barre, and Rutland, the Vermont Foodbank is a member of Feeding America and has served Vermonters statewide for the last 30 years. Donations help ensure that all Vermonters are fed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
An effort led by Jim Heltz, founding member of the band Transitory Symphony, in collaboration with the Vermont Foodbank, Music to Feed the Soul is a compilation of the best of Vermont's music scene from every corner of the state.
Contributing musical acts include Paul Asbell, Blue Button, The Bubs, Patti Casey, Danny Ricky Cole, Emma Cook & Questionable Company, Cole Davidson, Amber deLaurentis, Dino Bravo, Eastern Mountain Time, Elephants of Scotland, Expected Guest, Damascus Kafumbe, Spencer Lewis, ivamae & Dan Bishop, Me & my friend Ben, Frank Mills, Rik Palieri, Plastique Mammals, Strangled Darlings, Bow Thayer, Thea Wren, The Rough Suspects, Transitory Symphony, Va-et-vient, Whetstone Wailers, Willverine, and Yestrogen.
The album cover was painted by Williston artist Grace Heltz.