Three years ago, Serge Villanova had an idea to do something to help others who, like him, were going through a difficult time.
“It was during the pandemic that I faced my own struggles,” Villanova said. “I was frustrated, confused, angry and sad. I was worried about the future, but I was determined to do something good.”
Villanova’s past experience as the sales director for Basin Street Records for 10 years helped him come up with his “something good” — a free musical festival to benefit those experiencing food insecurity.
The third annual Harahan Music Festival and Food Drive, featuring five groups including Grammy winners The Lost Bayou Ramblers, will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at Zeringue Park, 501 Oak Ave., Harahan.
Admission is a donation of between five to 10 nonperishable food items to help the food pantry at St. Rita of Cascia.
Presented by the city of Harahan and Colonial Estates, Villanova’s company, Stranded South Music, Media and Events, produces the event, which will also include food and an arts market.
In the first two years of the festival, Villanova said, about 650 attended the event, donating around 7,000 food items and water. And $3,500 was collected for the food pantry.
“Our goal this year is 6,000 donations of food and water, and 1,000 visitors,” Villanova said. “Our future goal is to raise more than 100,000 food and water donations.”
Joey Roman is the manager of the St. Rita Food Pantry. The pantry is open every Thursday at 375 Oak Ave. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in River Ridge is a partner in the program.
St. Rita covers all of Harahan and the Elmwood area up to Clearview Parkway, and St. Matthew serves the rest of the 70123 Zip code plus the Bunche Village community in Metairie, between Airline Drive and the railroad tracks, Roman said.
“We typically serve 35 to 45 families per week, an average of between 100 to 135 people," he said.
“Both St. Rita and St. Matthew collect donations weekly and holding regular food drives. And the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Matthew’s gives a monthly cash donation while St. Rita receives donations from parishioners in cash and online.”
Items most needed for the food pantry are cans of fruit, milk and baked beans, Roman added.
“When we have large drives, sometimes there is an abundance of certain items, and when that occurs, we share it with St. Agnes Parish food pantry in Old Jefferson,” Roman said.
Applicants to receive aid are screened, Roman said.
“We verify addresses by identification and I verify the need in a private interview,” Roman said. “A SNAP card qualifies them, or some proof of either SSI or SSDI (disability income)."
“We have several sponsors who have been very supportive in helping put together this music festival," Villanova said. "We want to use music as a foundation and the music festival as a platform for the betterment of the community and to help as many people as we can.”
The musical lineup for the festival is:
- Noon, Silver Lining
- 1:15 p.m., The Sharpened Spurs
- 2:30 p.m., Serge Villanova’s Stranded South Band
- 3:45 p.m., The Victory Belles
- 5 p.m., The Lost Bayou Ramblers
In case of inclement weather, the event will move to the VFW Post.
For more information about the festival, go to strandedsouth.com.