BREWER — Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s safe to turn on the Christmas music.
Bringing joy to the world and food to hungry Mainers, Michael Arell, a music teacher at Veazie Community School and music director at St. Mary’s Church in Bangor, is teaming up with the Good Shepherd Food Bank.
“1 in 5 Maine children suffer with food insecurity and I was like wow, that’s a lot, and as a teacher I see a lot of students and it’s a lot,” Arell said.
He told us he missed Christmas performances and wanted to do something to help end food insecurity.
Arell decided to combine those things by selling a Christmas album to benefit Good Shepherd.
“The sales only started on Thanksgiving and so far we’ve sold 50 albums, which is $500 going to the food bank, Arell said. “They say they’re able to provide three meals for every $1 they raise, so, so far we’ve been able to provide 1,500 meals, which is incredible.”
Whether you’re decking the halls or making cookies for Santa, the album has music everyone can enjoy.
“I picked music that’s called public domain, meaning no one owns the rights anymore because they’re a couple hundred years old, so it’s the classics, like Joy to the World, Silent Night, Away in the Manger,” Arell said.
If you’re not a fan of traditional CD’s, it’s also available on streaming services.
“Every one listen someone has on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, $0.01 goes toward the food bank, so if they keep sharing those play lists and playing them over and over again, that will help too,” Arell said.
To buy the album, you can go to his website.
