Six-act show benefits Colon-area food pantry - Cheboygan Daily Tribune

Six-act show benefits Colon-area food pantry - Cheboygan Daily Tribune

It wouldn’t have mattered if Saturday’s “Share the Magic” benefit generated just a single can of beans.

Jef Rietsma

It wouldn’t have mattered if Saturday’s “Share the Magic” benefit generated just a single can of beans.
“One can? Hey, every single item, every little bit helps,” said Lena Fitch, director of the Colon/Leonidas Food Pantry.
The fifth annual event, staged at Colon Elementary School, has grown into a major benefit for the Colon-based agency that assists residents in Colon and Leonidas townships.
More than 40 people attended the six-act show. Admission was a donation of food or money. Fitch said the show raised $149 and four cases of food – far more than one canned good.
She is savvy at making her money and supplies stretch. Consequently, Fitch said, Saturday’s haul was a boost for the pantry.
“We’re fortunate to live in a community that has the kind of people who go to the trouble to put together something like this show tonight,” Fitch said, noting the agency recently changed its name to reflect its long-standing inclusion of Leonidas Township.
Six acts were showcased during the 90-minute performance. Led by master of ceremonies John Sherwood, the cast was comprised of Frank Gayda, Mark Hassett, John Sterner, Jim Merrills and Ron Carnell.
Collectively, they performed a variety of crowd-pleasing tricks, including illusions, card tricks, slight of hand, linking rings and a multiplying bottles stunt.
Carnell at the onset of the program presented an audience member a sealed envelope to keep in her possession throughout the performance. Toward the end of the show, Carnell chose three audience members at random and asked the first to name an animal, the second to state an item, and the other a playing card and suit.
He ended the show by having the audience member join him on stage and open the envelope. The answers given by each of the three – a giraffe, a Mattel toy and jack of clubs – were included in the envelope.
Carnell said an additional expense was incurred to produce fliers sent home with the district’s students Thursday. He said he was disappointed that no more than a half dozen kids attended the show, but was still glad the pantry landed a respectable amount of food and cash donations.
“I have to add that the performers here tonight agreed to do this on their own time,” he said. “That speaks volumes about their character and a big thank you goes out to each of them.”
Fitch, meanwhile, said the food pantry is always in need of donations no matter the time of year. Through donations, it is able to secure $10 vouchers for use at Village Market toward items not distributed at the pantry. Also, an anonymous Colon resident donates money for $5 vouchers at M&M Grill so people can enjoy an occasional hot meal.
Also, the Colon Kiwanis makes monthly contributions for baby items, including diapers and food.
“I’ve been to most of the other area food pantries to see how they do things, how they operate, and I can say Colon is blessed to have the support that it does,” she said. “In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to exist, but as long as we are here, we are always looking for contributions and will always be grateful for what people do to help.”
Added food pantry volunteer Kathy Sove:  “Any one of us is just one hospital bill away from needing the food pantry to survive.”