Benefit Concert to Support Housing Security in Centre Region

An upcoming benefit concert featuring several popular local musicians will support four agencies working to address homelessness and improve housing security in the State College area.

“Gimme Shelter: The Concert for Housing Security in the Centre Region” will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1 at South Hills School of Business and Technology, 480 Waupelani Drive.

Performers will include include Biscuit Jam with special guest Richard Sleigh, Eric Ian Farmer and My Hero Zero, along with show opener the Nittany Knights Barbershop Chorus. Local radio personality Jeff Brown will emcee.

The concert aims to not only raise money, but also awareness of the scope of housing insecurity in the Centre Region.

“Not only are there many homeless people in our community, but there are also many more who are just one layoff, or one personal crisis, away from it,” Selden Smith, an organizer of the event, said in a statement. “Luckily there are also a lot of dedicated people working for change.”

Proceeds will be divided equally among four organizations. They include Out of the Cold, a low-barrier shelter; Centre Safe, whose services for survivors of domestic and dating violence include emergency shelter and housing; Housing Transitions, which operates a family shelter along with programs for finding and maintaining stable housing; and State College Community Land Trust, which creates affordable homeownership opportunities.

Tickets are available at ticketstripe.com/GimmeShelter2024 for a pay-what-you-choose donation.

South Hills is providing the concert space at no charge, and participating performers are donating the their time and talent.