Food For Thought: The Slam Against Hunger benefit, Dec. 13

From a press release:

Food For Thought: The Slam Against Hunger benefit, Dec. 13

On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., youth poets ages 11-21 will take the stage at Rainbow Community Auditorium, 60 State St., to start conversations about hunger in our community by sharing their original poetry.

Inspired by the youth participation in and community support for FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The Slam Against Hunger benefit that they produced for MANNA last year, SOULSPEAK Asheville decided to make it an annual event in their growing calendar of themed youth poetry slams. ‘Our young people bring a distinctive voice to issues that face our community” shares Executive Director, Mel Kelley. ‘Themed poetry slams are the perfect conduit for our mission of helping students develop critical thinking skills, creative writing abilities and public speaking confidence.” Last year 2 middle school poets from Francine Delaney School, Nicolai Rollet and Lila Richardson offered up a duo piece in which a friendship deepens and changes when one student discovers that his friend is hungry. “The depth of understanding and compassion in this poem from two twelve year olds was stunning” say Kelley. “Their words and their commitment to change brought the audience to tears.”

‘Through out the evening I was moved, disturbed and inspired by your performances” said Cindy Threlkeld, Executive Director of MANNA in a special thank you message to the youth poets. “My generation has failed to create a society where children do not have to worry about their next meal….you made it quite clear that you will not tolerate that level of inequality and injustice.” Threlkeld is thrilled that the young activist poets will once again use their words to make a difference for the hungry.

Students from several local area middle and high schools have been working on this event for weeks already. Poets volunteered and toured MANNA recently to gain a greater understanding of the issue and a first hand look at Manna’s operation. They were surprised by many of the statistics learned during that trip, especially the fact that 24% of MANNA recipients are children and 21-28% of households have to choose every month between buying food or paying for heat, medicine or gas for their cars. “It’s an impossible choice” says Bailey Marshall, 18, senior at Asheville High. “How is a parent to choose?” Marshall participated in last year’s inaugural event and became an intern at SOULSPEAK this fall. She has been encouraging other young poets to join her on stage this year. “Its an amazing feeling to see what we can accomplish in one night” she says.

Last year we raised $1000 and over 500 pounds of food” says Kelley. “This year we hope to double or triple that”. Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite and will be available that evening at the door. $15 adults, $10 students and teachers. Doors open @ 6:15. Food donations are welcome.