Special to The Citizen

Mikey B & the Sent Forth Band play Christian music every week, but their performance at the First Baptist Church of Jordan Nov. 15 had a special purpose. They were trying to raise money and food donations for the Jordan-Elbridge Ecumenical Food Pantry.

“The economy has been hard on everyone, and people aren't able to give as much either,” said Joan Scott, the coordinator of the pantry. “Even so, people are more generous at holiday time. We've always had very generous people in this area. We don't depend on any of the food banks. We're self-sufficient. But recent months have seen an increase in people who need help.”

Fred Bolio, the church's pastor and the father of Michael, said this is the church's first event for the food pantry.

“But it could become an annual event,” he believes. “Every month the church has a different mission, and November's (mission) is to support the food pantry. Michael proposed this idea, and the church council approved it.”

The food pantry has been operating under its present name since 1992.

Both perishable and non-perishable foods are accepted, but perishables, such as eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables must be brought in just prior to distribution so they do not spoil.

There is always a need for canned and dry pasta, sauce, canned food, pancake mixes, cereal, soap and paper products and other similar items.

Any cash or gift card donations are used to restock the pantry with the products that are most needed at the time.

Michael Bolio is a member of the First Baptist Church of Jordan, but he has been leading a Friday evening worship service at the New Hope Community Fellowship at the Federated Church of Port Byron for the past 11 months.

“Neil Strong, the pastor at Port Byron, asked me if I could put something together,” Michael said. The effort started out with himself and Bob Brown on drums. Gradually other musicians were added to form the present five-man lineup.

Christian praise music with an up-beat, country feel is the band's specialty. They treat all their performances as if they were professional events.

Their set up for the Jordan concert included colored lights and a sound system for the instruments. Michael plays guitar and is the lead singer, accompanied by Al Weaver and Bill Smith on guitar, Rick Rainone on bass and Bob Brown on drums.

“I've been playing guitar since I was 8,” Michael said. “My father taught me my first three chords, and I learned the rest on my own. I listen to Christian music pretty much all the time. And I make a regular pilgrimage to Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake.”

Kingdom Bound is a Christian music festival held at the Darien Lake in the summer.

The Sent Forth Band has been attracting the attention of other churches; its Youtube site has been getting many hits, and Michael said they have been “very busy and enjoying every minute of it.”

Some of the songs the band plays were written by Michael. He introduced these songs by explaining how he wrote them, most which were inspired by either a scripture passage he had read or to express his feelings during a particular time in his life.