All You Need is Love (and Food)

Howard Moore never intended to be homeless.

The 69-year-old Lakewood resident also never imagined that he’d wait in line for community meals. 

Things started get tough for Moore in 2006, when his partner of 47 years died unexpectedly.

He found himself in financial straits. 

“I’ve never been so lonely in my life,” he remembers. “Being homeless and going to community meals can be a humiliating experience. It’s never something I could have imagined would have happened to me.” 

Moore isn’t alone.

He is one of hundreds of Lakewood residents who rely on community meals to get by.

Moore is also among those who will benefit from this Saturday's All You Need is Love (and Food) event at the Lakewood Masonic Temple.

All You Need is Love (and Food)

Dozens of Cleveland-area musicians will take the stage at the to perform music of the Beatles, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday — presented by the Trinity Lakewood Community Outreach organization.

The Lakewood organization provides hundreds of hot meals, a produce distribution (reaching an estimated 1,200 people per month during the summer), community gardens and community-based health and wellness programs to Lakewood’s neediest residents.

“We’re all coming together for hunger relief,” said event organizer Jason Weiner. “It’s a theme for the kind of community that we all want to be a part of.”

Musicians include Charlie Mosbrook, Mike Uva, Matt Charboneau, Dane Macaskill, Rachel Shortt, Alan Grandy, Marky Ray, Jay Bentoff, Jeff Harmon, Christopher Solt, Michael Dooley, Joseph Milan, Steve Mastroianni, John McGrail, Rick Williams, Nick Miraldi, Sheela Das, Chris Frohring, Alex Leslie, Weiner, Katie Stadler, Bobbie Hendrick, Terrell Williams and Geary Hughes.

The event will close with what organizers are calling an “all star” performance of All You Need Is Love. 

I am one of those performers.

We’re not too bad.

I am not certain what sort of musical ability I bring to the event, but I am honored to take the stage with these fine Lakewood citizens.

Among those performing the finale with me are: State Rep. Nickie Antonio, Jim O’Bryan, the founder of the ; Paula Maeder Connor, pastor of the ; Ian Andrews, executive director of ; Linda Goik, the owner of ; Julie Hutchinson, owner of the ; artist Michael Gill; Margaret Brinich, the chairwoman of the ; and Bill Wagner, the principal of .  

The suggested donation is $10 plus a canned food item, however that gets you food and coffee provided by the Root Café, and fresh sweet potato pies provided by the Union Community Garden.

Local artist Billy Nainiger is donating prints of his Beatles-themed artwork that will be available in a raffle at the event.

All proceeds will support the hunger relief efforts of TLCO.

Nothing you can do that can’t be done

Weiner said he chose the music of the Beatles partially based on his own interests.

“It’s combining a lifelong love of the music of the Beatles with a passion for hunger relief and an interest in community-building,” said Weiner, a Lakewood resident who last year was named the Huffington Post’s Person of the Day.

“This notion of love is beyond puppy love, but a way of living with others that represents the kind of world you want to live in — one that’s inclusive and respectful of everybody.” 

No one you can save who can’t be saved

I first met Moore in 2010, while volunteering with TLCO’s Third Saturday meal.

It struck me that he is always good-humored and cheerful despite his circumstances.

And he always stays around long after a hot meal to pitch in. 

"This wasn’t a choice I made, but circumstances beyond my control," he said.

So, he's made the best of it.

Moore said he plans to attend Saturday’s event.

He’s easy to spot: He always sports a blue hat with buttons of causes he supports pinned to it.

“The reason I am going is because I want to give back,” he said. “If I have to spend $10 — even if I can’t afford it — it’s just something I have to do.”