Food bank fundraiser includes online auction, live music event

Music and memorabilia fans can do their part to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by joining in "Bands & Bids," an online music auction and live music fundraiser.

The online auction begins at 8 a.m. April 9; items up for bid include concert tickets, music posters and prints, "a bottle of red" signed by Billy Joel and personal experiences that include a tour of Rich Engler's autographed guitar collection and an opportunity to DJ with Pittsburgh media personality Rick Sebak.

The live music event takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. April 16 at the Penn Hebron Garden Club, 237 Jefferson Road in Pittsburgh. Tickets can be purchased online for this event, which includes live music from the Polkamaniacs quintet, the Jig-Offs and Ben Forbeck, complimentary beer, pizza, water and snacks and an opportunity to see and bid on the items in the auction until all bidding officially ends at 10 p.m.

Winning bidders can pick up their items at the live music event or they will receive an email on April 17 to arrange for pickup or shipping.

Retired concert manager and promoter Lance Jones is organizing the fundraiser with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and all revenue from the online auction and live music event will be donated to the food bank, according to the event website.

Jones has organized previous fundraisers for the regional food bank, raising more than $362,000 since 2006.