Opinion: Widespread Panic helps people with food drives; political campaigns could do same

All we needed were two chairs and a table.

That’s how it all started. And 25 years later, those chairs and tables have generated millions of meals for the food insecure across the country — all due to the generosity of Athens rock band Widespread Panic and their fans.

So what does hunger relief have to do with rock and roll? (I get asked that a lot — just wait until I tie this back to political campaigns). But, to answer the question, it was a way to consolidate steps and ride the coattails of a band that was bringing large groups of people together. Combining an attentive and large audience with a cause worked out pretty well.

The band returns to Asheville for three nights of music at the Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville on July 25. And there again will be a food drive to benefit MANNA FoodBank. Of the 17 shows played here since 2002, 16 have featured a “food drive event,” which the band prints on their tickets. Lead singer and founding member John Bell even did a self-filmed YouTube video pumping up the 2008 post-Thanksgiving food drives, saying creamed corn kinda gets a bad rap. While the food and cash amounts aren’t staggering, they help the food bank provide a few tens of thousands of meals for the 16 county service area of Western North Carolina.

Perhaps the most valuable asset in all of this remains the fan behavior and the band’s willingness to organize the drives. It’s something else to observe fans lugging 20 pounds of canned goods a half-mile in mid-summer heat and handing them over to volunteers. Sweat drenched, but smiling, the fans say, “thank you.”

Think on that: In order for them to donate those cans, they had to remember that drive was happening, buy food, bring food to the show (which is a big party), then lug the cans from the vehicle to the donation spot. That much effort seals the cause in the mind of the donor. And for them to then be grateful for the opportunity to donate … well, it’s why philanthropists do what they do. It’s behavior modification. Cutting a check is great. But impacting people’s awareness in a manner that internalizes the cause is the true victory.

Since 1999 when the Panic food drive effort began, other bands have followed suit and organized efforts have sprung up to great success. Colorado-based nonprofit Conscious Alliance has cornered this market with most of the major touring acts and do great work with a lot of their proceeds benefiting the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation. Even global megastar Taylor Swift has gotten in the game, leaving large cash donations in every city on her Eras tour.

So what? The reason I bring this up is I’ve learned that people want to help. It’s in their nature. People appreciate the opportunity to make a positive difference for people in need. This desire transcends geographic origin and partisanship. I’ve seen countless hyper-conservative red state Panic fans heap piles of cash on me at shows — maybe even more than blue state liberals, honestly. (ducks for cover)

So what? If rock n' roll bands and pop stars can engage their fans to take compassionate action because it’s mutually beneficial and helps others, why then can’t people campaigning for political office? Sounds crazy doesn’t it? Just as crazy as hosting a food drive at a rock n' roll show sounded 25 years ago.

Since 2018, Democratic candidates have spent $1 billion dollars on media. That’s billion, with a B. The result? Completely divided government with one party that’s publicized their desire to dismantle parts of our democracy.

Perhaps taking action to engage people would be better. Meet people where they are and give them a chance to participate. People want to help. They want to feel invested in something bigger than themselves. Lead them to be the best versions of themselves. Donating $1 million of that $1 billion spent on commercials will feed 5 million people. Is that too much to ask?

All we needed were a table and two chairs and a concert to connect with people who wanted to make a difference. These political candidates have billions of dollars for commercials. Maybe they should consider putting some of that cash to good use.

Joshua Stack is a communications professional and has worked as a political strategist for North Carolina senate and congressional campaigns.