Danville, IL, February 3, 2008 - Deeper Blues, Danville's own internationally-acclaimed Blues band, will sponsor and produce Danville Foodstock '08, a benefit for the Danville Area Food Pantry on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Bremer Center on the Danville Area Community College campus. The concert is free to all, but a donation of food or money is strongly suggested. All proceeds will go directly to the food pantry. "We're very grateful to our sponsors," said Lane Baldwin, Executive producer of the event. "Because of their contributions, every penny and every pea we collect will go directly to the food pantry. No one is taking a dime for their work."

Deeper Blues will headline the five hour event, which also includes local Jazz luminaries Doc Ashton and the Root Canals, the New Kingdom Christian Church Choir and the R&B band Phaze II. Sponsoring businesses include DACC, KISS Country and KOOL Oldies radio stations, US Music Corporation, Speedy's Quick Print, MB Music & Sound, Days Inn, Among Friends, Back Door Pizza, Charlotte's Café, Royal Donuts, Waldenbooks, Country Store Health Foods, Escape - An Aveda Salon & Spa, Threads of Time, Blue Kangaroo Books, Wilson's Auto Service, Hibbett Sporting Goods, Bud's Express Cellular & Car Stereo, Riegle Barber Shop, Polyclinic Medical Equipment, Turtle Run, Anker Florists, Lia Sophia, Danville Paper & Supply, and Lincoln Lanes, with more sponsors signing up every day.

Fundraising activities will include numerous gift basket raffles, food and beverage sales, and various gift items available for purchase. Auctions will include an all-expenses-paid private party with food for up to fifty guests and a private performance by Deeper Blues. Radio station owner Larry Weatherford will MC the event, with special appearances by food pantry director Chuck Brooks, Danville mayor Scott Eisenhauer and several surprise guests.

Coproducers of the event include the members of Deeper Blues: Baldwin (bassist and vocalist), guitarist Gary Jones and drummer James Jones, as well as Mike Harper, Empire Productions, Jill Jones and Chris Wells, both of MidWest Management. They hope to raise as much as $52,000, allowing them to provide $1,000 of extra food per week to Danville's neediest.

"We've wanted to do something for our community ever since we formed this band," said Baldwin. "We also wanted to commemorate the release of our new CD with something special. And we can't think of anyone who needs help more than those who can't afford food for their families."

"We have people in our community that can't feed their children," said Ms. Jones, "and that's no way to live. We all believe that it is our moral responsibility to reach out to those less fortunate and lend a hand, and that's what this event is all about."

Doors will open at 11:30, with music starting shortly after. Donations of food and money will be collected throughout the event with all proceeds going directly to the Food Pantry. "Thanks to DACC and our many sponsoring businesses, this will be a cost-free event," said Harper. "Everything from the PA systems to the posters have been donated by Danville businesses. That means every dollar given goes directly to those who need it, not to the production. And that helps us do more for those who rely on the food pantry."

The event grew from Deeper Blues' commitment to building a strong, supportive community. "A strong sense of community is integral to the origins of the Blues," said Baldwin. "The Blues brought people together and gave them a way to deal with their pain so they could all survive in the face of despair. We want to revive that sense of community, to remind our listeners that there's a reason for the music. Today, this is our reason: to show those in desperate need that the community cares."

The Bremer Theater is located on the campus of Danville Area Community College. For further information, visit danvillefoodstock.com.