Cleveland Metal Bands Unite For Fourth Annual Holiday Food Drive

WJCU 88.7 FM and Auburn Records will host the fourth annual Iron Ingo Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive, a benefit concert for the Cleveland Foodbank, Friends Of The Cleveland Kennel and Lake Humane Society on Saturday, December 8 at The Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio. Bands scheduled to perform include SOULLESS ("In Death's Grip" CD-release show),HOSTILE OMISH, BREAKER (with SHOK PARIS guitarist Ken Erb),IRON MESSIAH (featuring Siki Spacek from BLACK DEATH),WRETCH, AT NO END, DEADIRON and JULIA ROBERTS' GLOBAL WARNING, plus special guests The Red Hot Heathens burlesque group. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Fans attending the concert are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations to help those in need this holiday season. A donation will be made from the Cleveland metal community to the Cleveland Foodbank, Friends Of The Cleveland Kennel and the Lake Humane Society.

"Our goal is to top last year's record breaking donation totals of 2,159 lbs. of food and $872.76 in cash," says event organizer Bill Peters (Auburn Records, WJCU). "Heavy metal fans are the most generous in the world when it comes to supporting good causes. They never cease to amaze me. Every year our donation totals keep increasing significantly. We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Working together we are making a positive difference by giving back to our community."

Cleveland Foodbank President and CEO Anne Goodman, who has been a big supporter of the event, says "it wouldn't be the holidays without Bill's concert!"

"Cash is our most needed item this holiday season," adds Cleveland Foodbank Food & Funds Coordinator Caroline Weir. "For every dollar donated to the Cleveland Foodbank, we can help provide four nutritious meals to those in need."

The Cleveland Foodbank supplies a majority of the food used in local hot meal sites, shelters, and food pantries. In addition, they provide food to child care centers, group homes, and programs for the elderly.

The Foodbank works closely with other Northeast Ohio hunger relief organizations, providing food and nonfood products to hunger centers administered by the Hunger Network Of Greater Cleveland, the Catholic Hunger And Shelter Network, and the Salvation Army, among others.

The Friends Of The City Of Cleveland Kennel is a group of volunteers dedicated to providing the necessary medical and general care for the animals at the Cleveland Kennel in the hopes of giving them a second chance at a good life. Their mission is to provide the necessary medical and general care to the homeless, neglected & abused dogs and cats who arrive at the Kennel and to raise awareness in the community by providing resources and education to Cleveland residents.

The Lake Humane Society has been dedicated to the welfare and protection of animals since 1937. Operating as a private, non-profit organization in Lake County, Ohio and the surrounding metropolitan areas, they are focused on the relief of suffering and the prevention of cruelty and abuse to animals. They also strive to inform and educate children and adults in the humane and respectful treatment of all living creatures.

The food drive is named in honor of Germany's Iron Ingo Stührenberg. Ingo, a writer for the popular German underground heavy metal webzine Metal Rules, has adopted Cleveland as his second home. He has traveled to Cleveland from his home in Wiesmoor, Germany, at his own expense, to host two previous successful food drive events. He will be unable to attend this year. Dave Overkill (DESTRUCTOR) and Aurora Sans (The Red Hot Heathens) will fill in as MCs for the evening.

"Now it's already our fourth food drive event," says Ingo. "Time really flies but not for everyone. There are a lot of people without a home, a warm bed or a daily meal. The upcoming cold wintertime is even more worse to go through so please make a difference again and donate for people in need and also for our friends on four paws. It's not on you that the world is what it is, but it's on you if it stays that way. To help others live gives meaning to your own life. Give a little bit to help a lot! In union we stand!"

Flyer design by Claudia von Bihl