Venice Pub & Pizzeria hosting 16th annual Ishpeming Salvation Army Benefit this Saturday

ISHPEMING — On Saturday, December 7, a local bar will be hosting its popular yearly event for a great cause.

The 16th annual Ishpeming Salvation Army Benefit will be taking place once again at the Venice Pub & Pizzeria, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The benefit was formerly held at Hickey’s Bar, until the bar was destroyed by a fire in 2013. Staff at the Venice Pub & Pizzeria quickly stepped in to make sure the Salvation Army Benefit would continue, and it’s still going strong.

“This will be our sixteenth year in a row, and we do it to support our local Salvation Army,” said Kurt Gronvall of Venice Pub & Pizzeria. “We like to do things at a local level. It means more and it’s more significant to our constituents here in beautiful downtown Ishpeming.”

All proceeds from the benefit will go toward the Ishpeming Salvation Army food pantry, toy drive, and food baskets that will be given out to those in need. Salvation Army Captain Doug Winters says that this benefit has brought in more and more every year, all thanks to the local community’s generosity.

“This is one of the events that people look forward to at Christmastime, to jump in and just have a good time and raise money for a good effort,” said Captain Winters. “This community is an incredible community. Ishpeming has always been so giving in what they do to take care of their neighbors, and we’re excited to be part of that. Then we get the good part of the story where we get to actually hand out the gifts and the food to the people that need it most.”

The benefit will feature drawings, raffles, door prizes, and other activities. Live entertainment will be provided by the Flat Broke Blues Band, U.P. Gumbo, Kurt & Kim, Bill Hart & The Bones Man, and many more.