About Us

History

Bluegrass Battles Hunger was started as a Leadership St. Joseph capstone project by the 2009 class. The idea was to organize a two-day bluegrass music event in honor of the late Thomas Higdon, a Bluegrass music fan, where proceeds would support Second Harvest Community Food Bank. At the time of conception there were no other live bluegrass music events in the area, and there still aren’t. The group created a bluegrass music festival that was free, community-oriented, and ultimately helped some of the most vulnerable community members, and they organized a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation named Bluegrass Bettering Our Community to oversee the event.

Our Mission

Bluegrass Battles Hunger was formed with a threefold mission of music, community, and social good. Our goal is to organize a successful annual event that attracts concert goers both locally and regionally in an effort to support hunger relief efforts and awareness through support of Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

Annual Music Festival
Various bluegrass music acts play over the two-day event, and in lieu of admission attendees can bring canned goods or make a cash donation to Second Harvest Community Food Bank. However, a donation is not required to attend the event. The music festival is held each year at Coleman Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square in St. Joseph, MO. In the last 13 years the event has been held, we have donated over $31,500 and collected over 11,000 pounds of food to support Second Harvest Community Food Bank. This year will be the 15th annual Bluegrass Battles Hunger music festival, and the event is scheduled for September 27 and 28, 2024