Local musicians and community members are helping more than a dozen Sullivan County food pantries this weekend. Our Venise Toussaint has the story.

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BETHEL, N.Y. -- Live music, food and fun all for a good cause.

“Right now we’re benefitting local musicians and food pantries in the area,” said Matthew Lockwood of the Dancing Cat Saloon.

Dozens of musicians and community members packed into the Dancing Cat Saloon at the Catskill Distilling Company for their fourth annual Sullivan County food raiser.

Stacey Cohen, event organizer said, “There’s not one penny that goes to anything other than the 15 food banks in Sullivan County and the federation who serves the hot meal in Sullivan County.”

The event was the brainchild of owner Stacy Cohen who wanted to merge her love of music with helping the community. The concert is free but each patron makes a donation to help end hunger. In its four years, thousands have been raised for the Federation for the homeless and other pantries in the county.

The event has raised more than $36,000 for 15 local food pantries this year organizers hope to raise more than $10,000 more.

“The first year was just amazing and nobody could believe it and so we kept it going and this is the fourth year, it’s really wonderful,” said Cohen.

Lockwood said, “Everyone is just here because they understand that the most important thing is we’re here for the community and we’re here for the food pantries.”

The weekend long event is at six locations throughout the county. Organizers say they hope to expand the event and raise even more money for charity next year.