Danville, IL, May 27, 2009 - Danville Foodstock announced that it will partner with the Danville Jaycees to mount a food drive in support of the Danville Area Food Pantry at Springfest '09. The festival will be held Tuesday, June 2, through Sunday, June 7, in the main parking lot at Danville Area Community College. Friday through Sunday (June 5-7) have been designated Foodstock Days, and will feature music from many of the area's top bands.

"We're thrilled to work with the Jaycees," said Lane Baldwin, founder and Executive Director of both Danville Foodstock and its parent organization, Foodstock Charities. "This gives us the opportunity to help fill the shelves at the food pantry at a time when more people than ever need help feeding their families."

To help attract people and increase donations, Springfest will offer a weekend of music from local bands, including Steve Rodman & Friends, Doc Ashton & the Root Canals, Big Creek Guitar Band, Tons o' Fun, and Lane Baldwin & Deeper Blues. Sunday afternoon will also feature an open-to-all acoustic jam session.

The two organizations began to work together in March of this year. The Jaycees assist with the Foodstock Sunday Dinner Series, which provides a free meal once each month. They will also assist with the production of concerts and benefit drives in support of the food pantry.

"Danville Foodstock is an excellent fit for the Jaycees," said Illinois Jaycees Senator Monty Schroeder. "Their mission is very compatible with ours, and they are doing very important work in the community."

"With so many losing their jobs, and struggling to make ends meet, more people than ever before need help," said Baldwin. "This is one more way we can help, while encouraging others to get involved."

The concerts are free, but organizers ask that attendees bring non-perishable food or monetary donations. All proceeds go directly to the Danville Area Food Pantry, with nothing taken to cover the expense of the drive. "We made a promise in the very beginning," said Baldwin. "Every penny and every pea we collect goes directly to our programs. No one involved in our projects makes a dime, and all expenses for our benefit drives are underwritten by our business sponsors."

Danville Foodstock has gathered an impressive list of sponsors for a charity so young. Local sponsors include County Market, Vermilion Valley Produce, Big R, Kirchner Building Centers, Earl Gaudio & Son, Royal Donut, The Life with Spirit Foundation, MB Music & Sound, the Village of Tilton, Great Scott Services, Wright's Heating & Air, and the Danville Jaycees. Dozens of other businesses have donated items for Gift Basket raffles and other activities at the charity's benefit concerts. In addition, the organization is sponsored by the Rick Turner Guitar Company (Santa Cruz, CA) and the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership (Indianapolis, IN).

Foodstock began as a way for Baldwin's band Deeper Blues to commemorate the release of its first CD, Dig the Hole. This year, Foodstock Charities is going national, with events in several cities across the US. The first one will be a benefit concert in San Jose, CA. They are also seeking 501(c)3 non-profit status, and are pursuing sponsorship discussions with several large corporations.

"All faiths teach that the key to fulfillment is our service to others," Baldwin said. "This is our service to our community, our way of helping to make things better. We can't think of anything more basic, more necessary, than providing food for those in need."

"The Jaycees exist to serve their communities," said Schroeder. "By partnering with Danville Foodstock, we can do even more to serve our community, and to help those with the greatest need."

For further information on Springfest '09, visit danvillejaycees.org. For information on Danville Foodstock and its programs, visit danvillefoodstock.com.