Local Artist Studio Tour & Food Drive Benefiting MEND NJ

Longtime South Orange resident, painter and sculptor, Jon Koones (www.jkoones.com), is participating in the SOMA Artists Studio Tour and using the event to give back by collecting canned foods and funds for MEND NJ.

The unprecedented events of 2020 have left far too many neighbors in need of food. MEND Hunger Relief Network has been working tirelessly to meet the growing needs of the food insecure, but there is so much to do; they need help.

On 11/7 and 11/8, 11:00am to 5:00pm, Jon is opening his outdoor studio and asking guests to give a ‘Can 4A Can’. Donate canned food (most needed items below) in exchange for cans of local microbrew, Two Towns Amber Ale or Reservation IPA, thanks to the generous support of SOMA Brewing Company.

And while canned food helps, MEND also needs monetary donations to purchase fresh food. Jon will be donating 10% of every piece of art work sold and selling $10 raffle tickets to win a piece of art with all proceeds going directly to MEND.

This weekend, let’s let art lift up our spirits and show some love for our community: SOMA strong, together!

COVID PRECAUTIONS: Studio space is outdoor with some pieces located within a well ventilated four seasons room with floor to ceiling windows. Masks and social distancing are required. SOMA Brew cans to go.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS:

Hot & Cold Cereals (low-sugar)

Shelf-Stable Milk (liquid preferred, all varieties)

Peanut Butter

Pasta (whole wheat or regular)

Pasta Sauce (in cans)

Canned Tuna or Chicken (in water)

Canned Vegetables (no-salt or low-salt)

Canned Fruit (in juice, not syrup)

Rice (1 lb. bags)

Beans (canned or dried)

$15 Grocery Store Gift Cards

ABOUT MEND:

https://mendnj.org/

Meeting Essential Needs With Dignity (MEND) is an interfaith hunger relief network of 20 food pantries located throughout Essex County, NJ. The MEND network includes nine pantries in Newark, four in East Orange, and the remaining seven in Bloomfield, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Orange, South Orange, and West Orange.

ABOUT SOMA BREWING CO:

www.facebook.com/somabrewingco…

Over drinks at the neighborhood pub, the idea of SOMA Brewing Company was born of the Froelich and Heydt families’ desire to keep it local. Both families live and are very active in the South Orange – Maplewood area, and have 5 children between the two families in the public school district. This made the idea of making craft beer for locals by locals an easy decision. From their families, homes, blocks, and neighborhoods, SOMA Brewing Company hopes that you will drink local! Cheers!

ABOUT SOMA ARTIST STUDIO TOUR:

https://studiotoursoma.com/

South Orange and Maplewood’s strong artist community comes together to open their studios to visitors every year. Artists may be emerging, mid-career or established, and they work in a wide array of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, fiber arts, printmaking, murals, collage, jewelry and more. The Studio Tour enables art-curious people, patrons and friends from surrounding communities to take an art adventure celebrating the diversity of art and culture that ties the South Orange and Maplewood communities together.