Benefit Concert

Since 2010, Memorable Performances from Local Bands to Music Legends

The longest economic downturn in the United States since World War II — the Great Recession that began in 2007 — has faded into memory for many people. But that troubled time underscored how important the Breakfast at St. Andrew’s is to the homeless, the unemployed and people struggling to make ends meet. It also revealed how vulnerable even the longest-serving nonprofits can be.

By 2009, rising unemployment meant the lines forming outside the Breakfast Program’s doors were getting longer at the very same time the City of Ann Arbor cut its financial support of the program as their funding priorities shifted. A budget crisis loomed but a catastrophic cut in service that would have harmed the most vulnerable people in our community was avoided when The Breakfast Program tapped into Ann Arbor’s reputation as a mecca for the most talented musicians in the world to create a new fundraising vehicle.

In 2010, The Breakfast at St. Andrew’s, The Ark, Ann Arbor’s legendary folk club, and local promotion company  Acoustic Routes Concerts started working together on an annual benefit concert that has become one of the most eagerly anticipated cultural events of the year thanks to inspired performances by Grammy-winning legends like Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives.  The shows have also featured passionate performances by Michigan artists, including Luke Winslow-King, Rev. Robert Jones and Bonnie Rideout, and virtuoso instrumentalists like Irish Fiddler Kevin Burke, and guitarists Duck Baker, Dakota Dave Hull and Dan Crary.  Every one of them brought their talent to Ann Arbor because they were inspired by the mission of The Breakfast Program: Serve Anyone in Need.

Thanks to the generosity of the artists, music fans and corporate sponsors, more than $150,000 has been raised so far — all of which has gone to purchase food and supplies, and support operations. The Breakfast is particularly grateful for the support of the Bank of Ann Arbor, the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, Curaleaf, Delta Airlines and General Motors Co. for their support in 2023.