On Saturday, November 1st, local musicians and community members gathered at The Original Pittsburgh Winery (2809 Penn Avenue, Strip District) for Songs for Gaza, a benefit concert in support of World Central Kitchen’s famine relief efforts in Gaza.

The event brought together Pittsburgh’s creative community for a night of music, solidarity, and compassion — raising over $3,700 to help feed families facing starvation and displacement in Gaza. All proceeds went directly to World Central Kitchen (WCK), whose volunteers risk their lives daily to deliver meals in one of the world’s most dangerous humanitarian crises.

The night featured performances from an inspiring lineup of local artists: Bill Toms, Phat Man Dee, André Costello, Kelsey Jumper, Mark Dignam, Liz McBride, Lauren DeMichiei, David Dickinson, Abbey Martin, and Art Donsky. Each musician donated their time and talent to stand for peace, justice, and humanity for all people.

Organizers shared in their event statement:

“While we decry the violence of October 7, the ongoing military response has been devastating and disproportionate, leaving children and families starving in what experts now recognize as a genocide. Together, through music, we can help bring hope and nourishment to those most vulnerable.”

The intimate setting of Pittsburgh Winery provided the perfect backdrop for community members to come together, listen, and give generously. Volunteers collected donations throughout the night, and the energy in the room reflected both heartbreak and hope — a shared belief that compassion still matters.

By the end of the evening, the total raised reached more than $3,700, all directed toward World Central Kitchen’s life-saving work in Gaza.

Songs for Gaza was more than a concert; it was a statement of solidarity from Pittsburgh to the people of Gaza — proof that even across oceans, music and community can bring real change.

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