Once again a number of Katrina related news items have crossed the Relix.com/Jambands.com news desk today. Here are some highlights:
In the last week alone Panic Fans for Food has donated $2,700 and 450lbs of food to America’s Second Harvest through weekly its gatherings, Widespread Wednesdays. Future events are planned in Atlanta, Austin, Portland, and Columbia, MO. Panic Fans For Food is also in the process of securing 14 tons of food and water to be shipped to the effected areas in Louisiana and Mississippi. The group will also be hosting food drives to benefit local Second Harvest Affiliates throughout Widespread Panics Fall tour, scheduled to begin at Farm Aid on September 18.

New Orleans-based Brotherhood of Groove will turn each show on its upcoming tour into a benefit. 50% of profits from each show will be donated back to the Big Easy. The other 50% will be used to help rebuild the bands loses and allow the group to buy food, lodging and fuel as they continue to tour the country. Many of the shows will feature special guests including the Boston Horns, Dave Grippo and Sam Kininger, among others.
Hookah Fans for Food will be collecting food to add to its Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Fund donations at this weekends Boykin Ball. At press time the group has already donated $3,275. Hookah Fans for Food will also be hold a raffle for which proceeds will also be donated to the Red Cross. Raffle items are still needed so please e-mail Alicia Kanary at [email protected] to contribute.

Neil Young, U2, Paul Simon and the Foo Fighters are among the bands scheduled to perform on a Katrina relief telethon scheduled to air at 8 PM EST tomorrow on all six major networks. Taped in New York and Los Angeles-based studios the multi-act event will be hosted by a number of celebrities and popular entertainers.