The annual Singin’ in the Grain concerts are returning later this month, with a performance in Steinbach, combining music and generosity to help fight hunger through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB). The event was the idea of Harold Penner, the at the time Manitoba-Northern Ontario representative for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. He wanted to expand fundraising beyond farmers, believing everyone can help feed the hungry. In 2010 he helped organize a concert featuring Rosemary Siemens and Loren Hiebert, with all monies raised going to CFB. "Then he thought, 'You know what? What if we go further than this? What if we say, raising money for people in hunger is everybody's responsibility, not only for farmers, explained current Committee member Pearl Braun-Dyck. "He had the idea of, why don't we involve singers?" From there the Singin’ in the Grain concert series was born, with an event held every year since 2011, except for one. “The whole idea is eradicating hunger is something absolutely everybody in the world can contribute toward,” she said. “Raising money for people in hunger is everybody’s responsibility, not only for farmers.” Featuring two Manitoba choirs This year’s Singin’ in the Grain lineup will showcase two Manitoba choirs performing for the first time at the fundraiser: The Prairie Singers, conducted by Rick Heppner-Mueller of Altona, and The Accent Singers from the Steinbach area conducted Meredith Hutchinson. “Many people from our area will be very familiar with the fabulous concerts that Prairie Singers have given, an extremely talented group of singers,” said Braun-Dyck, who also noted the group was started by Ben Pauls who is now a member of the organizing committee. "The Accent Singers are from the Steinbach area... (and) I'm really, really looking forward to that choir, as well. We have not had either one of these choirs for one of our Singin’ in the Grain concerts before. For me, it's always really exciting to know we will have new singers, and also an opportunity for them to help participate in helping toward eradicating hunger." Why everyone can help Braun-Dyck said she often reminds people most of us don’t have to think twice about where our next meal will come from, a privilege not shared by millions worldwide. “How many of us this morning were not able to open a cupboard or a refrigerator and find food," she openly asked. "For most of us, that isn’t a problem. So tell me then, why would we not want to work very hard at making sure everybody in this world has food or access to it?” She added, while farmers play a vital role in global food production, the wider community can also make an impact through attending Singin’ in the Grain. Focusing on South Sudan Each year, Singin’ in the Grain highlights one of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s global projects. This year’s focus is South Sudan, where more than 7.7 million people, over half the population, are facing acute food insecurity, including more than 2.7 million children. “All funds raised at these concerts, unless otherwise designated, will be directed through Mennonite Central Committee, which is working in that area,” Braun-Dyck explained. “For persons who have children, you know how you don't want to see your child go hungry. There isn't a parent anywhere, or in particular in that area, that wants to see their child go hungry." Concert details and donations Sunday, October 26th at Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, starting at 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. “Our Canadian government is also helping in this area (South Sudan), so if we haven't met our designated matched amount, the money collected and raised at these concerts could potentially be matched three to one or four to one by the Canadian government." Those unable to attend can donate online through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website, with options for e-transfer, credit card, or cheque. Braun-Dyck added sponsors play a crucial role in ensuring the events' success. “I want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, because if it wouldn't be for them, we would not be able to say every single solitary penny we have raised over all these concerts, since 2011, have gone to our fundraising projects for their respective years," she stressed. "That's no small feat."