RAH!, or Rockers Against Hunger, is a group of business people from local corporations, such as SONY, who use their musical talents to raise money for the hungry.

This time their talents will benefit St. Peter’s Haven’s food pantry.

A benefit concert will be held at Johnny’s Bar and Grill in Clifton’s historic Botany Village on Nov. 14 to raise money for St. Peter’s Haven, which "has been impacted by the recent economic downturn and now feeds more than 700 people per month … a major jump in the number needing help."

The show, which will be held a week before Thanksgiving, includes employees of SONY and other major companies who will perform in groups such as VSB, Sidebar, Maureen Hall and Mojo Workin’, and Craig DeBari and the Usual Suspects.

"There are many gifted performers within the corporate sphere," said Glenn Govier, bassist with headliner VSB.

Govier, who is heading the benefit shows, has been working with bands for 40 years, starting with the Garage Bands of the Sixties. The bands approached the Haven to offer their talent and services.

"Giving back to the community is important to each of us, but it’s even better to be able to do so through our music." A veteran performer of nearly 40 years, Govier’s ‘day job’ is with Sony Electronics Inc. in Park Ridge.

Johnny’s Bar and Grille is donating its premises that evening and is rapidly becoming a major attraction for rock, blues, and jazz fans in the region. Other music offered will be from the genre of the ‘60s to current day selections. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided and drinks will be sold. Admission is $18 for pre-sales or $25 at the door.

Besides the monies going to the hungry that are fed at the Haven in Clifton, people attending are asked to bring bags of non-perishable food items for the Haven to distribute. This includes cereals, canned foods, non-perishable milk such as Parmalat, soups, rice, pasta, sauce, tuna and peanut butter.

Robert Masiello, spokesman for the event, said the influx of needy families in the area has risen since the summer where the Heaven provided food for 450 a month to more than 700. The Haven does not feed people for the entire month, but only for 4 to 5 days at a time. This is enough to get them food along with the food stamps allocation they collect, Masiello said.

"Last month Paterson ran out of food from CUMAC," Masiello said, adding "We have seniors coming in who say they used to donate food all the time, now they are asking for food. It is sometimes a choice between eating and buying their necessary medication prescriptions."

Masiello said this "pre-Thanksgiving show will feature the four bands, each comprised of musicians who are full-time employees of North Jersey businesses. With representation from occupations as diverse as lawyers, engineers, marketers and sales account managers, the musicians have donated their time and talents for the Nov. 14 event to help St. Peter’s Haven provide food to families … especially children … in need.

"People are hurting, and the holidays compound the pain," said Masiello, who said donations have dropped when need keeps growing.

Established in 1986, the Haven’s primary mission is to help provide stability in the lives of families in crisis. "The Haven offers shelter, food and other assistance to help families get through a crisis such as loss of homes due to illness, unemployment and other hurdles," said Marsha Hook, executive director of St. Peter’s Haven.

"By helping family members work together, the Haven enables them to deal with the crisis and move ahead." They also offer shelter for three families at a time, keeping the families together as a unit. The facility has one one-family house and one two-family house. Besides providing shelter and food, the families are given a chance to get back on their feet through training and programs, and once again become self-sufficient.

Hook said, "the Haven has expanded into educational programs, such as its English as a Second Language classes. "By helping people succeed at their jobs or prepare for better employment, we can assist them in avoiding becoming homeless or desperate again."

To emphasize the economic turmoil in our towns and country, Masiello recalls overhearing a conversation at St. Joseph’s hospital.

"A woman was told she qualified for Charity Care, but was also advised that she needed to pay a $50 deposit to obtain her medical services." The situation in our country has become a Catch 22 and St. Peter’s is only one of the many pantries and shelters helping to assist the so-called Main Avenue citizens."

To buy tickets for the show or to volunteer, contact St. Peter’s Haven at 973-546-3406, write to St. Peter’s Concert c/o of 380 Clifton Ave. or log on to www.volunteermatch.org/search/org59444.jspNJ, or Google St. Peter’s Haven. The pantry is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.