MUSCATINE, Iowa–A musician with a long history in Muscatine, Dave Bender has performed to support good causes in the past. He first played to benefit the Salvation Army of Muscatine County in 2021 along with several other musicians hoping to help the organization continue serving people in need during the pandemic. This year, Bender plans to keep assisting the Salvation Army through both a solo show and a group jam session held right here in Muscatine.
This spring, on April 21, Bender will give a solo performance at the Muscatine American Legion at 110 South Houser Street in Muscatine at 5 p.m. In his show, Bender will perform songs from his repertoire of around 40 original songs.
Later this year, Bender will put a new twist on a classic event he has participated in for almost a decade. Each year in the fall, Bender and some of his best musician friends have gotten together to host a jam session for the community to enjoy. This year, they look forward to using this special evening of music to raise even more money for the Salvation Army of Muscatine County. As he explained it, “we’ve been doing this for about eight or nine years, but this will be the first time we support the Salvation Army.” This year’s jam session for the Salvation Army of Muscatine County will happen on the Skinny’s Barbeque patio at 208 West Second Street in Muscatine, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m.
Bender will not charge admission for either of his upcoming shows. Instead, he will have a red kettle, like the ones used by the Salvation Army of Muscatine County during their annual Red Kettle Campaign around the winter holidays, out at both events, and he hopes everyone in attendance will donate generously to make sure the Salvation Arm can continue to help people who could use a hand up. As bender put it, “there’s always someone down on their luck, so why not help them out?”
Though the Salvation Army of Muscatine County and other organizations that provide help to people in need and offer access to a food pantry may not get as much attention from the general public as they did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for assistance rose to unprecedented highs, they still need support from the community. Throughout the year, they provide their food pantry, Pathway of Hope program, children’s programing, and many other valuable services to people across the county. To keep these programs active, Bender looks forward to having a good turnout at both concerts. “As rich as this town is, no one should go to bed hungry in Muscatine County, especially children,” he said.
In the weeks ahead, Bender hopes to put together a Facebook page and website to share upcoming concert details. He encourages people to watch for them to stay up to date on the two concerts he has announced so far, as well as any future concerts he organizes.
