Tower Park Summer Concert Series and Brighton Center Join Forces for a Good Cause

Now that warm weather is finally upon us again, the Fort Thomas community has been emerging from hibernation. The city's parks have been packed with locals enjoying the rising temperatures, and citywide outdoor activities will soon be bringing people together to enjoy our impressive outdoor spaces.

Outdoor concerts have been known to make Tower Park a summertime hotspot, and this year will certainly be no exception. What's better than enjoying a concert in the park while also helping a local charitable organization?

On Tuesday, June 16, the Tower Park Amphitheater will host “Share What You CAN” from 7:00pm until 9:30pm. The event will feature live music by the Naked Karate Girls, and food and drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors. Brighton Center's own Center Table Catering will also be on site providing food and drinks for attendees to purchase. Center Table Catering is one of Brighton Center's many noteworthy programs, and serves as “a social enterprise of the Brighton Recovery Center for Women, which provides culinary training to women in recovery.”

“Share What You CAN,” which is sponsored by Citizens Bank of Northern Kentucky and Crawford Insurance, was created as a way to collect items and funds for the Brighton Center's food pantry. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the concert, and cash or check donations will also be accepted. Everything donated at the event will go directly to help local families in need. “Last year alone, Brighton Center served 3,188 families through Family Support services which includes the Choice Food Pantry. Family Support’s vision is to assist families to move from crisis, to stability, to self-sufficiency,” said Brighton Center's Marketing and Communications Specialist Deana Sowders.

This event is especially important because we are quickly approaching a crucial time for local families in need. Summer has proven to be a difficult time for many families, and the food pantry will allow them to successfully feed their families while taking steps toward self-sufficiency. “Families are most fragile during the summer because their children are out of school. Families that typically qualify for free and reduced lunch are now responsible for feeding their children three times a day. This really squeezes a working family’s budget even further. We see our highest number of customers between May, June, July and August,” said Talia Frye, Family Center Director.

While the Brighton Center will gladly accept any non-perishable food items you bring to the event, here is a list of the Food Pantry's popular items: cereal, pasta, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (soups, chili, pasta, etc.), 100% juice, peanut butter, pasta sauce/spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken, turkey, etc.), and beans (canned or dry). In addition to food items, Brighton Center will also accept donations for their Emergency Assistance Service. Brighton Center counts on donations in order to keep personal hygiene items stocked for the Emergency Assistance Service. Donations of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes will all be accepted at the event.

Events like “Share What You CAN” are an important part of Brighton Center's involvement in our community. “Our ability to provide a comprehensive array of services is very much reliant on community support. Events like this allow Brighton Center to gain more visibility within the community for supports and those in need of services. We cannot achieve our mission of creating opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency without a community of support,” said Sowders.

You can find out more information about the Brighton Center by visiting their website.