"Giving Hunger the Blues" started in 1996 inside Sarasota's 5 O'Clock Club and has since moved outdoors, with 14 bands, 12 food vendors and a slew of youth activities. Its goal: generate funds for the nearly one in 10 people fighting hunger daily in Sarasota County, 33 percent of whom are children, according to George Generoso, event organizer and owner of the 5 O'Clock Club. About 5,000 spectators attend annually, and $500,000 has been raised in the past 12 years ($86,000 just last year).
These proceeds benefit the All Faiths Food Bank and Sarasota's Child Protection Center. "When this event started, no children were involved, and we really wanted to make this more about the kids," said Generoso. "After all, we are supporting the children of Sarasota, teaching them about hunger and how to protect themselves from abuse.
" A rock-climbing wall, face painting, Lee's Tae Kwon Do and dance demos and a raffle with $3,000 in prizes will round off the entertainment. It's a time to bring the dog, the lawn chairs and the whole crew outside.
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