Concert to support Suffolk’s homeless

Published 11:40 pm Friday, April 5, 2019

Tickets are on sale for a benefit concert that will be held on May 4 to support the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk. The concert will be at 2 p.m. at Suffolk Christian Church, 216 N. Main St.

The Old Myrtle Jam band will play bluegrass-style music for the concert’s opening act, followed by the Norfolk Street Choir as the main act. The choir was founded in 2016 by Robert Shoup for individuals who are or have been homeless.

Choir participants meet weekly to develop the skills they need to perform, such as vocal mechanics. Shoup said the one rule is that whatever the choir performs will speak to “perseverance, supporting one another and gutting it out when things get hard.”

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“We’re really honored to have been asked to participate in this program and we are happy to support our friends in Suffolk that do similar work,” Shoup said in a phone interview.

CAPS is a network of churches and organizations that work together to alleviate poverty and promote community development in the city. The program provides emergency assistance for Suffolk residents and connects them with services such as food pantries, homeless shelters, transportation, counseling and legal assistance, according to capsuffolk.org.

There’s also the Night Stay Program, a rotating night shelter for people experiencing homelessness in the winter. Churches take turns hosting the program each week to provide shelter, food and safety.

More than 24 churches participate in the program, with more than 230 volunteers involved and more than 900 individuals served, according to capsuffolk.org.

“CAPS is passionate about combating homelessness in the city of Suffolk,” Fundraising and Event Coordinator Emily Arters stated in an email. “We are proud to present Old Myrtle Jam and the main event, the Norfolk Street Choir. They are two exciting and different and highly entertaining musical acts.

“Bluegrass rhythms and gospel style anthems will delight attendees while supporting our organization.”

Tickets are a suggested donation of $20 each. These can be purchased online at capsuffolk.org and also at Suffolk Christian Church on North Main Street, Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church on Godwin Boulevard and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church on Bridge Road.

Sponsorships are also available at $250, $500 and $1,000. Call 935-5497 for ticket and other information.