Music filled the air at Mountain View High School as the community came together for a powerful cause: fighting hunger in Stafford County. The 15th Annual Band Together To Fight Hunger event brought together five high school marching bands from the Stafford County Schools system for an evening that proved entertainment and charitable giving make a perfect harmony.

The November event yielded impressive results that will directly impact local families facing food insecurity. Through a combination of monetary donations and food collections, the evening generated resources equivalent to approximately 40,000 meals for the region. More than $17,000 was raised for Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank programs, while an astounding 4,304 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected for distribution through S.E.R.V.E. to Stafford County pantries.

"Tonight's 15th Annual Band Together To Fight Hunger event was enjoyable and impactful," the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank shared on its Facebook page. "We are grateful for the community spirit of the five high school marching bands of the Stafford County Schools system and generous event sponsors!"

The event showcased the musical talents of student performers while rallying community members around a critical cause. Lee Cheney, Executive Director at S.E.R.V.E., expressed admiration for both the students and the community's response. "What an honor it was to be a part of such an incredible event. The talent of our local band students! Wow, just wow!" Cheney said. "The energy of those donating and attending was spirited and humbling. Residents truly showed up to support not only the students, but their community!"

"It's great to see all of the schools' field shows and watch them come together at the end for a huge combined performance," said Karen Presecan, parent of a Brooke Point marching band student. "The students love to cheer each other on, and the cause is amazing!"

Tiffany Black, parent of a Mountain View marching band student, agreed. "I just think the Band Together event is the coolest thing," she said, citing that, depending on the year, each school may not get to see everyone's show if it were not for this fantastic event. “We’re grateful that our band can come together for this community event that benefits so many,” she added. “Our kids look forward to this every year.”

The impact of the food collection became immediately apparent in the days following the event. Dedicated S.E.R.V.E. volunteers arrived at 7 a.m. on Tuesday to sort through the massive donation, working diligently to prepare the food for distribution to those in need. The timing proved especially crucial, as Cheney noted that many local pantries have been experiencing record numbers of guests in recent weeks due to the government shutdown and threats to SNAP benefits.

"Many of us are seeing a record number of guests in the past several weeks, so to be the beneficiaries of the BTTFH food collection was an enormous help for our daily distributions," Cheney explained.

The collected food will be shared among several vital community resources, ensuring a broad impact across Stafford County. Recipients include Aquia Methodist Table Pantry, Ramoth Baptist Food Pantry, and Stafford Community Initiative. Additionally, S.E.R.V.E. announced it will host mobile pantries on November 7 and 21 at Quantico to assist military families on base.

The Band Together To Fight Hunger event demonstrates how community collaboration can address pressing local needs. By combining the universal appeal of music with hands-on charitable action, the event offers community members a chance to make a tangible difference. Student musicians' participation adds an educational component, teaching young people about civic responsibility and the power of collective action.

As food insecurity continues to challenge families throughout the region, events like this provide essential support to the safety net of food pantries and distribution programs. The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank concluded its reflection on the evening with characteristic understatement: "Not a bad way to spend an evening!"

Those wishing to donate are encouraged to consider items that local families most need. High-priority items include flour, hearty meal soups such as Progresso or Chunky varieties, side dishes like rice meals or pasta bowls, frozen meals including pizza, pot pies, and pierogies, and spaghetti sauce. Cash donations are particularly valuable, as all monetary contributions are used to purchase perishable items—fresh eggs, vegetables, fruit, grains, and meat—that are difficult to collect through traditional food drives but are essential for balanced nutrition. Donors can receive tax receipts for their contributions, making it easy to document charitable giving throughout the year.

For community members interested in supporting local hunger relief efforts year-round, donations to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and S.E.R.V.E., as well as volunteers, are always welcome.