On Saturday, April 2, a group of students from St. Edward’s University partnered with Mobile Loaves and Fishes and St. Ignatius Catholic Church to provide a day of dignity for Austin’s homeless community. They called the event REACH OUT. Music For The City was honored, humbled and excited to be a part of this event.
The morning was beautiful. Not just because of the perfect Texas spring weather, but there was a beautiful spirit of love, kindness and gratitude in the air. The day was designed to not only provide for some basic needs, but also to bring a little dignity and self-worth to a population that is pushed to the margins of society. Over 250 of our homeless brothers and sisters were given the opportunity to shop for some new clothes, get a hot shower, get a medical exam, a haircut, a massage, a foot bath, and enjoy a good meal…and some live music, of course. I mean, this IS Austin.
That’s where we came in. We set up a sound system in the parking lot, and local artists Jason Poe, Tara Craig, Gina Chavez, Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay, and myself shared our humble tunes with an endearing and grateful audience. It was beautiful to see hardened faces overwhelmed by smiles as simple melodies began to break down barriers. And you could almost feel the songs taking on more meaning than they ever had before.
Jason Poe
Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay
I walked away from the event with a new respect for a group of people that get very little respect. I walked away from the event with a head full of names to faces that generally go nameless. I walked away from the event with a torn heart, wondering what more I can do.
It was a day of dignity for Austin’s homeless community, and a day of awareness for me.
until next time…
Lamar Stockton
MUSIC FOR THE CITY
Tags: austin, brennen leigh, gina chavez, homeless, jason poe, lamar stockton, mobile loaves and fishes, music, music for the city, noel mckay, reach out, st. edwards university, tara craig
the art of giving 