1st Grab a C.A.N. Fan Challenge of 2011 with PassionWorks Brings 345 pounds of Food to the Food Bank of WNY

Depew, NY, January 10, 2011 --(PR.com)-- In April, 2010, the Food Bank of WNY contacted Suzanne Perry of the OP Music House to be a part of their promotional video "Reach Out (to Fight Hunger)."
Immediately inspired to come up with a way to help, Perry came up with the "Grab a C.A.N. Fan Challenge" and launched it within one week.

The concept is a friendly competition to see which band has the most generous fans.

When confirmed with a band, it's announced using social medias Facebook, Twitter and OP Music House's website. It gets cross-promoted by OP Music House and the band, and fans are asked to "grab a can" of food from their cupboard or pantry en route to see that band. "C.A.N." is an acronym for Care About Neighbors.

Friend and charitable ambassador, Paul Roorda of Park Avenue Imprints created the art for the campaign and it went live the following week.

The premier was with WidowMaker on April 16, and a very encouraging 126 pounds of food was donated.

Throughout the rest of the year, other bands tag-teamed for the cause, and 2010 closed out with 699 pounds of food collected on behalf of local bands and their fans.

The new, award-winning band BreakAway not only won the best new band of 2010 but won the Fan Challenge of 2010. Their debut show brought an astounding 181 pounds of food plus monetary donations.

"Taz," BreakAway's drummer, contacted Perry to do another food drive collaboration. That show brought in another 150 pounds of food.

The first Grab a C.A.N. Fan Challenge occurred January 7, 2011 at Macaroon's Nite Club with the band PassionWorks. A limo brought fans from Dunkirk, NY, an hour away, with cases of food. A grand-slam total of 345 pounds of food was donated.

Perry comments, "I get so high seeing people helping people. Buffalo is the 2nd poorest city and yet is one of the most giving cities in this country. Working with charities is very addicting, I want to do something bigger now."

Bands who participated in 2010 were, Breakaway with a total (2 shows) of 330 pounds, WidowMaker (Carrie Engler version) 126 pounds, ENVY 59 pounds, GrundnerHall 54 pounds, BitterSweet 32 pounds, Category 5 had 23 pounds, Old Skool 11 pounds, Caelum with Deja Fuze 10 pounds, and the farewell show with Gravity, 10 pounds. Food was also randomly donated during non-events to total 699 pounds.

Perry recalls, "I know what it's like going to bed hungry, and I use music to bring people together to prevent it happening to others."

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