Pensacola’s Charity Event Returns – Benefiting Homeless Focused Organizations
There are very real needs in our community – in every community. And there are amazing local services that do everything in their power to meet those needs. It will be of no surprise that those organizations live and die by our support – financial and otherwise.
One such support comes from Pensacola’s annual event Feeding the Urban Homeless Community Fest – or FUHC Fest. It features multiple performances, music, stand-up, and art stretched across two days. The money raised returns to the Pensacola community through vetted organizations that continually make an impact.
This year’s event takes place Friday, September 21st and Saturday, September 22nd at Chizuko (506 West Belmont Street, Pensacola, Florida).
Organized by Bubbs Harris, he answered a few questions for us via email about the event.
The idea for the event formed out of a real need that Harris was witness to. He was organizing events around food and blanket drives but saw an opportunity to grow that impact. “At the time there was a very serious threat to our local homeless population imposed by the Downtown Improvement Board and City of Pensacola of criminalizing the poor in an attempt to keep them away from downtown and other gentrified neighborhoods like East Hill and Scenic Heights. FUHC Became a way for us to fly a big middle finger in their faces and rally more people like us to do the same. As someone who has been homeless, and is always one step away from returning to the streets (I spent the first two months of this year living in my car), this is something close to my heart. I enjoy helping people, and I expect, nor want a ton of recognition for it. As an entertainer and someone with a large social reach, I feel it is my duty to lend some of that to doing good in my community and city, hoping it spreads from coast to coast and beyond.”
“We choose based on who is doing more grassroots work and could really use the help,” shared Harris. “I’m a big fan of the Satoshi Forest and Food Not Bombs, so we’ll be working with them again this year, but we are also donating a large portion of proceeds to a group called the Lee Street Diners, who have been feeding the homeless under the I10 overpass on Lee Street in Pensacola every Thursday for many years. These groups are small and do what they do because they are passionate about it, often coming out of pocket to provide the meals and supplies they distribute. We figure a little help from us will go a long way. FUHC Fest donates 100% of proceeds to these local organizations.”
When asked what he most looks forward to – it’s the actions that surround the event that he holds closest. “We hold a special get-together each year before doors open on the first night, between 2-4pm, where we hand out meals, toiletries, drinks, etc, as well as put out bags of clothes, shoes, blankets, and more. We also have a few stylists and barbers, including myself donating their time and talent to providing free haircuts and beard trims. This is always an amazing time. Meeting new people, running back into old friends and talking with them, learning their stories is a very humbling and positive experience. The smiles make it more than worth it.”
Harris expresses his gratitude for the support the event has received and how many entertainers have freely donated their time to the cause. “I’m beyond stoked to know so many kind people that believe in what we are doing here. Ultimately, though, I’d really like to see FUHC grow to be a major music and arts festival, perhaps even happening in different cities. Hell, I’d just be excited to see similar things pop up. Pensacola certainly isn’t the only city with a homelessness issue that desperately needs attention.”
Learn more about the event via their Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/195635224668694/
Current Schedule:
Saturday, 9/22: Doors at 6pm
2 – 4pm Feeding the Urban Homeless Community w/ Milton/Pace Pay it Forward Group. Food, clothes, supplies, haircuts (by Cuts by Roxie, ATL), beard trims, good times.
7 – 7:30 Greg Bond
7:30 – 7:55 Comedy in the Courtyard w/ Olivia Searcy, JW Brogan, Wiley Farrar, John Strickland
7:55 – 8:25 Pardon the Scars
8:25 – 8:45 Comedy in the courtyard w/ Kyle Miner, Bubbs Harris, Nicole Sanders
8:45 – 9:05 SymaTree
9:05 – 9:35 Posadist
9:45 – 10:05 Big Lo
10:05 – 10:35 Brave New World
10:45 -11:05 Jamal Steele
11:15 til Company of Ghosts
Sunday, September 22
7 – 7:30 Stephanie Leigh Hall
7:35 – 8 Patrick Cunningham, Elaine Jackson, Chad Chamberlain (Comedy)
8 – 8:30 Forsaken Profits
8:35 – 8:55 Eternity
9 – 9:20 Blood Moon Pact
9:25 – 10 Mo Alexander (Comedy Central, Standup Records, Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City)
10:05 – 10:30 Burning Strong
10:35 -11 ?????
11:10 – 11:30 Pauper’s Grave
850 Music & Entertainment 