This weekend’s Maplewoodstock isn’t just an opportunity to see music for free in the park. Thanks to the efforts of the Maplewood Lions Club, Claire Sinclair of Tuscan School and others, it’s an opportunity to help out the less fortunate. Working with the organizers, the civic groups have created a food drop off and ask that people who attend the free concert bring donations of nonperishable food.

“There’s going to be a couple thousand people in the park,” Maplewood resident Chris Dickson, a co-organizer of the food drive, said. “If everybody could bring a can or two, that could make a big impact.”

He emphasized that the proceeds would benefit people in the community, with the food going to Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange and St. Joseph’s Church. The economy has put a strain on both church’s food stores.

“Right now, Our Lady of Sorrows is giving out an average of 90 bags of groceries a week,” Dickson said.

Dickson said that both churches are looking for more opportunities to remind people that food banks have a constant need for donations. They are looking for nonperishable items including canned goods, pasta and peanut butter.

“People think about food banks around Thanksgiving and the holidays,” Dickson said. “But demand doesn’t drop.”