Kids & Family

Parsippany Christian to Rock It for Hunger

Christian music and family event features kids'-music star Big Jeff and others to benefit the church's food pantry.

will come alive with the sound of music Saturday in the hopes of feeding the hungry.

The faith community presents , a concert featuring a host of musical acts and a mission: filling the shelves of the church's Mind, Body and Soul Food Pantry.

The event boasts a wide and diverse array of family-friendly performers. Among the artists taking the stage are indie artist Julie Nevel, the Jacksonville Chapel NXT Generation Band, the Band and the Parsippany Christian Church Band.

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Rock It for Hunger will also offer face painting, balloon twisting, spin art, nail art, a bounce house and more.

Food will be available for sale.

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Headlining the concert is the popular children's favorite, Big Jeff, who will hit the stage at 4 p.m.

Big Jeff, a.k.a. singer-songwriter Jeff DeSmedt, blends humor, learning and “super-interactive” audience participation to delight kids of all ages. DeSmedt, over his decade-long career, has built a big fan base through his travels through the New York metropolitan area, New England and California. Along the way, he has sold more than 10,000 CDs and DVDs and has earned a Children's Web Award.

DeSmedt has dozens of day care classics to his credit, including ”Big Pterodactyl in the Sky,” “The Orange Song” and “Dance on One Leg.” His most recent recording is the disc “Warm for the Winter,” which was recorded and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer John Seymour (U2, Dave Matthews, Santana), and features the Chops Horns section, who’ve played with everyone from The Police to Alicia Keys. 

PCC representative Patti Wood said Big Jeff is not making a dime for his performance.

"He has generously agreed to donate time to our cause to help put food on the church pantry shelves," she said.

The church's Mind, Body and Soul Food Pantry serves more than 165 families. The pantry operates on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 2-5 p.m. and is open to anyone who needs assistance with food. 

The pantry is sponsored by the members of Parsippany Christian Church and augmented by the support of various scout troops and schools in the area, along with interested individuals, businesses and organizations. 

The cost to attend the concert is a bag of non-perishable food items, which will go to the pantry.

Donations to the effort can be made at any time through the church's online donation page

Rock It for Hunger will be held Saturday from 1-6 at Parsippany Christian Church at 205 Vail Road.

For more information, call the church at 973-224-6003.


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