Dara Robinson give food from his concert barrel

He is known for his earth strong concerts in the names of past musical legends.  And more recently he’s also known for his food drives to help the less fortunate.  Earlier this month Joel “Dara” Robinson held his most recent concert and food drive.  The barrel he adorned with pictures of the late Lucky Dube overflowed with canned and packaged food.  Today Robinson invited the media to accompany him as he made his rounds to hand out the parcels of food.  Marion Ali tagged along and has this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

It may not look like a lot to most people, but to the families who received food parcels from concert promoter, Joel “Dara” Robinson, the generosity of  this citizen is appreciated.  It’s like receiving food hampers at Christmastime – only it is not Christmas yet.  One of those people who made it on Robinson’s list this time around is Steven Buckley, the father of four who was shot during a police operation in April and has spent the last four months out of a job and undergoing intense physical therapy.  For Robinson, Buckley’s plight was just too much to ignore.

Joel “Dara” Robinson, Distributes Food Supplies

joel "dara" robinson

“Buckley never miss any of my concert and show yoh know, ih noh matter weh I have, once he hear Dara di have something he come dah di show.  Ih does come dah di yard too weh ah does live with mi bredda and thing, yoh know, soh me and Buckley goh wah long way and I see weh ih gone thru and ih still dig oh thru the same suffering and thing and he dah mi one ah di first person ah had pan mi mind fi bring food to yoh know.  Soh weh I bring for ah dah just wah small amount but dah still wah help, yoh know.”

Buckley, who himself supported Robinson’s events, was caught by surprise.

Steven Buckley, Food Drive Beneficiary

“All weh I got fi tell ah dah thanks very out with. I appreciate it.  When ih got lee concert and thing I’d dah get my lee money and I’d dah goh out deh and goh party with ah and thing and enjoy the music and thing with he. Due to the accident weh ah gone thru ah really sorry that I can’t support ah and thing.”

But while many may give up after a few times of trying, Robinson says he does not only intend to make the food drive a permanent one, but a bigger one as well.

Joel Robinson

“I wish I cudda do it whole year but ah only could do it when I have mi lee concert and thing.  You give me some brilliant ideas weh I have fi really step pan.  Soh, like ah seh I wah reach out to at least fourteen families today and try get rid ah di food deh.  Give thanks.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Robinson thanks all who donated to his food drive and asks for your continued support in future endeavours.