For the first time ever, the Falls Hunger Coalition is in the process of organizing a concert event that features what an organizer calls “a night of Minnesota-grown music.”

Local band Paper Parlor along with a Bemidji-based band, Acoustic Smoke, will take the stage at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Evangelical Covenant Church’s Family Life Center, 1631 First Avenue East, International Falls. 

Brittany Rognerud, assistant director of FHC, said the organization is looking forward to the event. 

“FHC is more than excited about this opportunity,” she told The Journal. “We are so thankful that both Acoustic Smoke and Paper Parlor have offered to host this event for us. This is exactly the kind of event we had been hoping to organize.”

Rognerud said the FHC fundraising committee decided it was time to change the focus from fewer small fundraisers spread throughout the year, to focusing on one or two larger events each year. 

“It was time to make an event intriguing and fun for the whole community, while bringing in funds for Falls Hunger Coalition,” she explained. “We bounced around ideas of having another wine tasting which had been proven successful in the past or try something new like a formal gala with music and photos.”

But, Rognerud said the idea for the concert was settled during the brainstorming process when an email from Acoustic Smoke offered its talent to the organization. She explained that Acoustic Smoke performs concerts for many non-profit organizations throughout the northern Minnesota area at no charge with the goal of raising funds for the organization. 

“This was perfect,” she said of Acoustic Smoke’s inquiry. “I sent the email to the board of directors and they loved the idea…I thought it would be a great opportunity for Paper Parlor to perform as well. I contacted the band and they were excited to help us with our fundraising event, also offering to perform for us at no charge.”

The Evangelical Covenant Church offered its Family Life Center as a venue for the concert at no charge to FHC, Rognerud continued. Admission to the concert will be free will donation to FHC. 

“We are suggesting a $10 donation to help us reach our goal of $5,000 raised during this event,” Rognerud said. “Donations of non-perishable food items will also be accepted. We do ask that these donations be items that are not out of date or expired. We can accept cash, check or credit or debit card for financial contributions.”

 Rognerud said the timing of the concert will be convenient for the fast-approaching holiday season. She noted the increase in food shelf use during this time of year. 

“Many families find this time of year more difficult to provide basic needs for their family,” she explained.

Rognerud added that any funds raised from the concert will go directly to Falls Hunger Coalition and help the organization in setting its budget for the upcoming year.

“Paper Parlor will be donating $2 from each purchase of Paper Parlor Merchandise to FHC during the event,” she said. “I would like to encourage everyone to visit both Paper Parlor (www.paperparlormusic.com) and Acoustic Smoke’s (www.acousticsmoke.com.) websites. There you will find bios of the bands, photos, upcoming show dates and of course the ability to hear their music before the event.”

For more information and updates, search ‘Falls Hunger Coalition’ on Facebook.