Looking for a way to give back that involves music? Look no further than Fifth String Music Store this Friday, December 12th at 7 p.m.. The music store will be hosting a benefit concert to raise money and supplies for Loaves and Fishes.

This will be the 6th annual concert that the store has put on to benefit Loaves and Fishes. Ross Hammond, a local musician, came up with the idea after he started working as an instructor for Fifth String. Hammond had spent previous years volunteering for Loaves and Fishes during the holidays and wanted to do more for the organization.

Last year the concert raised $1200 in donations. All of the artists performing have some connection to the Fifth String school or store. John Green (owner of 5th String Music Store), Ross Hammond, Peter Kett, Steven Ward, The Inversions and others will be performing.

Concert-goers can expect to hear mostly folk, rock, bluegrass and jazz music. According to Hammond, the show will be very intimate and mellow.

Admission is either a $15 minimum donation or an item from the Loaves and Fishes wish list. 

General wish list items include:

• Toilet paper
• New or gently used sleeping bags and blankets
• Regional Transit passes
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Small toiletries
• Back packs
• Band aids
• Combs and brushes 

 For adults, requests include:

• Gloves
• Large to extra large sweatshirts
• Reading glasses without prescription lenses
• New underwear
• Large to 3X sweat suits
• Tube socks. 

 For children, you can donate:

• Baby bottles
• Diapers
• Non-soy baby formula with iron
• Baby food
• Sweat suits
• Knit hats and gloves

For more information on Loaves and Fishes, visit www.sacloaves.org or e-mail Ross Hammond at ross@rosshammond.com if you have any questions.

Fifth String Music Store is located at 930 Alhambra Blvd (corner of J St.).

The image above is from the Sacramento Loaves and Fishes Web site.