May 14, 2026
Spalding McIntosh and the LionHearts command the stage at 185 King Street during the Music for Meals fundraising event held on May 9. Jonathan Rich
By Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
Since 1978, Meals on Wheels Brevard has delivered nutritious meals to neighbors who need support to remain healthy, independent, and at home.
Since 2021, local community entertainment venue 185 King Street has hosted the non-profit organization’s annual fundraising event “Music for Meals.”
That was the case once again on May 9 when more than 200 Meals on Wheels supporters bought $25 tickets and enjoyed some of the venue’s signature Noblebräu beer as local musicians Spalding McIntosh and the LionHearts took to the stage as the soundtrack for a raffle of donated prizes and a silent auction that raised a combined $41,000 for the local non-profit.
Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals and a human connection to between 85 and 90 seniors in Transylvania County through more than 80 dedicated drivers every weekday.
On this Saturday, the drinks were ordered from King Street’s recovered-wood bar and supplied from the venue’s busy kitchen and grill.
185 King Street bartender Jake Valentine serves up another cold Noblebräu during the Music for Meals fundraising event on Saturday, May 9. Jonathan Rich
The line for orders wrapped from the front counter into King Street’s spacious recreation room shortly after noon as patrons who would normally congregate to play billiards or darts found those areas occupied by local works of art and promises of prizes donated by Transylvania County businesses for the raffle and silent auction.
Some guests claimed their seats in the intimate auditorium in front of the stage. Others awaited their treats outside in the venue’s spacious fenced-in private backyard where they could spread out in Adirondack chairs behind the open-air stage or beneath umbrellaed picnic tables to enjoy the warm spring air and blue skies before local musician Abby Bryant got the party started as the afternoon’s opening musical act.
“Abby Bryant delivered a soothing soulful vibe I enjoyed very much,” said Meals on Wheels Brevard’s Executive Director Erin Gray. “She also shared a personal story of delivering meals with her mother as a small child. Her performance was from the heart and it showed.”
Guitarist Mike Green (left) lays down the licks for Spalding McIntosh and the LionHearts during the Music for Meals fundraising event on May 9. Jonathan Rich
The afternoon got even more lively when headliners Spalding McIntosh and the LionHearts took the stage and smoothly slid through inspired cover versions of popular songs then wove in their own inspiring originals to the delight of all in attendance.
“There were a lot of special moments, but one moment in particular I was deeply moved,” bandleader McIntosh explained. “There was a moment when I was playing with the band, my comrades, my brothers who showed up to play this gig with love in their hearts, and everyone onstage was so dialed in. There honestly wasn’t much for me to do in that moment, so I kinda just stepped back to catch my breath, stood in front of my amp lightly strumming my guitar.
“In that moment, everywhere I looked I saw people smiling just into the music we were playing,” he continued. “People from all different walks of life. I looked through all the smiling faces in the venue and saw the Meals on Wheels volunteers working, taking raffle tickets, taking names, working the room. I thought of how hard all of them have worked to make today happen. How much each one of them mean to me. I thought of the volunteer spirit. How grateful I am to be part of this tribe. Then I turned around to face the backyard and I saw the same, people laughing, sharing with one another, toes tapping, some dancing. May 9th, 2026 was a special day from beginning to end.”
Musician and president of the Meals on Wheels Board of Directors Spalding McIntosh performs during Music for Meals fundraising event on May 9. Jonathan Rich
McIntosh is not only the lead singer of the band headlining Music for Meals, he is also the current president of Meals on Wheels’ Board of Directors. His donation of a free concert at a bidder’s home tied for top prize at the silent auction with a painting by Erin Jones.
“Thank you to all of our sponsors, thank you to all those who donated,” he said. “Your money is going directly to serving meals to those who need them in our community.”
Gray cosigned that sentiment.
Supporters of Meals on Wheels Brevard peruse silent auction and raffle prizes during Music for Meals on May 9 at 185 King Street in Brevard. Jonathan Rich
“Of course it was one of the most popular donated items,” she said of the LionHearts’ promise to play a special show, but also referring to the other highly sought-after piece of art. “Erin Jones is a well-known artist in Brevard. Anyone would be proud to display one of her pieces in their space. Winning it in a silent auction with the mission to feed the homebound in our community only adds sentimental value to Erin’s outstanding piece.”
Gray added that more raffle tickets were purchased this year than ever before and that attendance was at an all-time high.
“A total of 175 tickets purchased online and at the door,” she said. “I noticed extra chairs were needed. In the past, I do not recall running out of tables for people to sit, but we did this time.”
Madeline Magin, co-owner of 185 King Street with her husband Cody Noble of Noblebräu Brewing, said she thought the event delivered on all accounts, too.
Supporters of Meals on Wheels Brevard enjoy the warm spring weather in the backyard of 185 King Street during Music for Meals on Saturday, May 9.
Jonathan Rich
“The sheer number of items donated for the auctions exemplifies how many people in this community support this very important cause,” Magin said. “I loved getting to meet several of the Meals on Wheels drivers who volunteer their time to bring not only a hot meal, but also extra compassion to the meal recipients. We are lucky to live in a community where this non-profit’s board works so hard to raise the funds needed to keep this program alive.”
McIntosh was even more excited about how many people were packed into the venue to raise money for the charity he is at the helm of.
“I don’t know if we will ever know the actual attendance because we had so many sponsors’ names at the door,” he joked. “Let’s just say we had the most people in attendance at Music for Meals … until next year!”
For more information about Meals on Wheels Brevard, visit www.mealsonwheelsbrevard.org.