Haven From Hunger benefit concert in Peabody raises $2G

PEABODY-Last weekend?s Holiday Concerts at City Hall drew in quite the generous crowd.Amidst the wintery sounds of the Tanner City Idols, The Hillyer Festival Orchestra, and the Peabody High School Chorale, audience members dug deep into their pockets, donating a total of $2,000 for Haven From Hunger, the North Shore?s largest non-profit food pantry.?We asked for assistance,” said Mayor Michael Bonfanti. “And we didn?t have to ask twice.”Barry Feinstein, president of the Haven?s Board of Trustees, said that such openhandedness “is reflective of our community.”?(Peabody) is made up of hard working people who are appreciative of their lives and family,” Feinstein said. “And that?s been the tone since I was a kid.”Concert Committee members, affectionately known as the city?s little elves, Judy Meserve, Marie Bishop, and Kathy Walsh worked with Mary Bellevance of the Mayor?s Office and Sally Ledbury of the Treasurer?s Office to organize a gift basket raffle, which was the event?s largest source of donations.?It was hard to keep up the tickets,” said Ledbury. According to the Committee, members of the audience were eager to offer more than their two cents.Several Peabody Veterans Memorial High School students also jumped on board to raise money by simply walking around with an empty can.?In 15 minutes, the can was entirely full,” said Bellevance, who was overwhelmed with the generosity of concertgoers.?I was a little discouraged,” quipped Bonfanti. “I sent a can out (that said) ?Bonfanti For Mayor,? and all I got was a bottle cap.”All joking aside, the money raised will help feed the hundreds of people that come to the Haven each day.Haven?s Executive Director Trudy MacIntyre said that those who seek help have “legitimate concerns” such as affording home heating oil, the rising cost of milk, and being laid off from work.Luckily, said MacIntyre, “we have never had to turn any family away.”Just this past Thanksgiving, the Haven brought turkeys to over 600 families.?Without everyone working as a team, it can?t happen,” MacIntyre said.Anyone interested in donating on their own time can do so by visiting the Haven at 71 Willis St., or mailing contributions to P.O. Box 46, Peabody, MA, 01960.