It pays to have friends in influential places. Dona Crawford of Olivebridge called on her friend Dan Einbender to help celebrate her husband’s combination birthday dinner/fundraiser, to be held at the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church this Saturday, April 9. The payout, in this case, will go to the Caring Hands Soup Kitchen housed in the Church – an effort that has been feeding hungry people in the greater community since the late 1980s. And the friends under Einbender’s influence are members of the Hudson River Sloop Singers. From 1 to 3 p.m. the group – originally formed by Pete Seeger over three decades ago to promote river eco-consciousness – will perform traditional and new tunes in the historic church sanctuary.

The Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry are ably headed by reverend Darlene Kelley, who reports currently serving about 1,200 meals a month. Alarmingly, demand for nutritious lunches is rising. A suggested $5 donation for the concert will go directly toward providing hungry families a noontime meal each weekday. Free boxes of food are available for people to take home, so a donation of non-perishable food items would also be greatly appreciated.

In addition to sustenance, various other services have developed out of the Soup Kitchen: a GED program sponsored by BOCES, recovery meetings through Narcotics Anonymous, a free legal clinic and advocate services. Most meet right after lunch.

This Saturday afternoon, Einbender will be joined by Sloop Singers Rick Nestler, Sarah Underhill, Peggy Atwood, Norm Wennet, drummer Stephen Crawford and other special guests to perform river songs and selections from Einbender’s new Grammy-winning album Tomorrow’s Children. After the concert, birthday boy Crawford, who works as office manager for the Church, will share his cake with all comers in the Church Hall. Great way to turn 60 and give back to the community at the same time!

The Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church is located at 122 Clinton Avenue in Kingston. For more information contact the Church at (845) 331-7188.