A northern Illinois organization held an online benefit concert to raise funds for those who lost their jobs due to the state’s stay-at-home mandate. The concert took place Saturday evening.
Brandon Lyon is an organizer for Relief Coalition. The Relief Coalition is partnering with Marie Wilkinson Food Pantryin Aurora to provide food for those in need. Lyon said the food pantry is receiving help.
“The Northern Illinois Food Bank, every week, they’ve been donating 200 boxes of food which is equivalent to a week’s worth of groceries. But, at some point, they’re going to quit donating and we’re going to have to purchase food,” said Lyon.
Lyon said once this help runs out, his organization will need about $2000 a week to purchase food.
Saturday’s concert helped raise nearly $5,000. The goal is $10,000.
Some featured musicians included Downtown Charlie Brown, Olivia Ports and Leroy Winn. The concert is available for streaming on Relief Coalition’s Facebook page and donations are still being accepted.
Although the concert was put together mainly to help those in the Aurora and Naperville areas, Lyon said they will not turn those from other areas away.
Lyon said Relief Coalition plans to have some type of fundraiser every month during this pandemic.