It will be a day filled with fun and music, and it will be for a good

cause.

Anthony’s on the Blvd., at 1303 Del Prado Blvd., will host the second annual

Bring a Can, Fill the Van event today from noon until midnight, a

Thanksgiving food drive to support the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Tiffany Hulse, an organizer of the event who will be among the acts

performing, said it’s important to remember those not as fortunate,

especially around the holidays.

“We want to help people because Thanksgiving is coming and some families

can’t have it because they have no food,” Hulse said. “We want to help the

Harry Chapin Food Bank and collect other items.”

Among the featured acts will be the Landshark Band, which has performed with

Jimmy Buffett and the Beach Boys, along with 10 other local acts.

Hulse, aka “Tiffer the Riffer” said there will be two stages at either end

of the parking lot where the performers will play. After one act finishes,

the other will go on and alternate.

The event also will feature food and drink specials and other entertainment

such as stiltpeople, balloon-animal makers, and even the Pillsbury Dough

Boy. Two raffles will be held, and a $500 kayak will be given away.

Of course, the reason of the event is self explanatory; to fill Tiffer the

Riffer’s 1973 Volkswagen Microbus with as many canned goods as possible.

Also, any gently used clothing items, blankets, or personal hygiene products

will be accepted, Hulse said.

At the inaugural event last year, Anthony’s was just 20 pounds shy of a ton.

The goal this year is to exceed that total so they can feed more families

this holiday season.

Hulse said there will be a trailer on hand in the event the van gets

overstuffed.

All proceeds go to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Inc. All

money collected by Anthony’s will go toward buying turkeys for needy

families.

Anthony Serrago, owner, said his customers have always supported causes he’s

hosted and that the employees have always risen to the occasion.

“It’s an amazing thing. We’ve had great customer support,” said Serrago. “I

also appreciate that the employees donate time. I couldn’t do this myself.

If it doesn’t go well, it reflects poorly on us.”