Coldplay & H.E.R on World Tour Which Includes More than Music: Feeding the Hungry!
By DL White
The British rock band Coldplay along with R & B Sensation H.E.R (Gabriella Sarmento Wilson) are on a world tour with scheduled stops across America, Germany, Poland, France the UK, Belgium, Peru and Argentina (to list a few sites) and they are leaving fans musically satisfied.
The tour came to Phoenix in late April and those inclined to follow the group and the artist, enjoyed an evening of hits and popular sounds from both. Two days prior hundreds of families in the greater Phoenix metropolitan enjoyed and were thankful for a generous food box assembled by volunteers brought together for the common good. A very viable and valuable effort goes on behind the scenes in each tour City which also “rocks,” and it has nothing to do with the magic of Coldplay and H.E.R’ s music, although both has chart climbing hits.
During each tour stop Don Muhammad and his team of Lovebutton (the Charitable arm of Coldplay), reach out to local organizations to either implement a food distribution or work closely with an established distributor to insure the increasing number of hungry are feed.
“There is no question inflation is hitting so many families harder with increases in rent, gas and food prices, some of the federal programs in place during the Covid pandemic are ending, “Noted Muhammad.
Don Muhammad
St. Mary’s, the first food bank in Arizona (established in 1967) and is seeing an increase in the number of families coming to the food bank, and equally important, distribution through the resources of agency partners and those able to make it to the location is making a positive difference,” noted a Food Bank Coordinator on sight to welcome Lovebutton, members of Phi Iota, the Phoenix graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and others donating their time for a notable cause
“I approached Coldplay and those involved with the band and proposed an initiative of feeding the poor and hungry on each and every stop,” recalled Muhammad adding, “Especially in Black and Brown communities often hit much harder during a crisis.”
“The outpouring of volunteers and those willing and wanting to assist has been nothing short of outstanding,” noted Muhammad.
“Arizona is leaps and bounds ahead of some states on the tour stop. Here (Arizona) you have established food banks in those causes we don’t want to inundate those already working so we call upon the community to join us for a few hours,” Muhammad said.
Arizona in Phoenix a day before the scheduled concert, Muhammad reached out to members of his fraternity (Omega Psi Phi) and anyone else he could contact.
“It is often short notice so we are extremely appreciative of those that come out and assist us distribute,” noted Muhammad, a graduate of South Carolina State University.
“I rearranged my schedule so I could come out and support my fraternity and chapter Brother,” noted Warren Dickey, who also is a graduate of South Carolina State University.
“I don’t get a lot of opportunity to leave the farm (ASU) during mid-day, but I felt this was a notable and noteworthy cause, shared Dr. Terry Alford, who works with graduate research students in the sciences.
“I was interested in coming out to see how the this process operates on this end, as we (Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church is one of the community distribution sites that receive shipments on the fourth (4th) Saturday of each month at the Church, 1401 E. Jefferson,” noted Lee Topps, a member of Phi Iota and a coordinator for the PRBC distribution.
“We are open and willing to partner with organizations for the betterment of the community,” said Phi Iota Social Action Chairman, Thomas Perry.
Notable: In 1967, the Food Bank was established on S. Central Ave in Phoenix. In 1979 the St. Mary’s Food Bank distributed over two million pounds of food through (35) distribution agencies. The St. Mary’s Food Bank serves to alleviate hunger through the gathering and distribution of food, while encouraging self-efficiency, collaboration, advocacy and education.
Those in need of food can contact the AZ Hungry Hotline at (800)445-1914 or (602) 528-3434. Volunteers are always needed – Hunger Hero’s and other viable roles
Guest columnist D.L. White can be followed on Twitter @dwhiteQ2.
