About 90 locals gathered on Saturday evening to show their love for Shuswap artists and Salmon Arm's Second Harvest Food Bank.

For Ted Crouch, the Shuswap Local Love event held at Song Sparrow Hall on Feb. 8, seemed a bit like old times.

In addition to playing a few of his own tunes, Crouch also shared the stage with storyteller James Murray. In past years the duo co-produced the Fair Exchange of Gifts shows that raised funds for local non-profits such including the Shuswap Family Centre, the Salvation Army Food Bank and Second Harvest. Prior to A Fair Exchange of Gifts it was a Shuswap Carol. 

"The inspiration is actually Tom Jackson and the Huron Carole, when he would do that food bank fundraising stuff every Christmas and tour Canada with his show," said Crouch. "We thought, well, let's do something local and call it the Shuswap Carol. And now it's grown to Shuswap Local Love. We have something else we can do to raise funds for a good cause in the community." 

Crouch applauded Murray's presentation, as he did the other artists who also took the stage at Saturday, including Blu and Kelly Hopkins, Megan Abel and Adam Hokensen and Song Sparrow Hall's own Clea Roddick and Craig Newnes. 

Representatives from Second Harvest also made an appearance to share some of the work that goes on behind the scenes at the food bank. 

"They91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™re so passionate and committed, and then they just invited everyone to come down and see the place," said Crouch. 

The event raised around $1,200 for the food bank. Pleased with outcome, Crouch said a Shuswap Carol event is already scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. 

"That will be sort of an annual fixture and it appears, the way food banks are going, there are other opportunities for special events throughout the year that we could look at to provide some support91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¦," said Crouch.