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Hungry for Music Notes
Winter Newsletter
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We have been recharging our batteries here at the Hungry for Music Distribution Center after a very busy 2025, during which we distributed a record-breaking number of musical instruments.
We have also been building up our playable inventory to handle the next wave of requests that have begun coming in since our first request period of 2026 began on February 2. We are lucky to have some awesome repair technicians!
Here’s the breakdown (thank you to HfM Operations Manager Cassie Clark for crunching the numbers):
Total # of Instruments: 3,116
177 School Programs
102 After-school Programs
44 Social Workers/Counselors
42 States
14 International Programs
Instrument Breakdown by Category:
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Accordion - 9
Alto Saxophone - 82
Amplifiers/Speakers - 59
Appalachian Dulcimer - 5
Audio Recording Equipment - 31
Auto Harp - 2
Banjo - 10
Baritone Saxophone - 2
Bass Guitar (Electric) - 29
Bongos - 8
Cajon - 1
Cello - 92
Clarinet - 215
Clash Cymbals - 2
Congas - 11
Cornet - 11
Cowbell - 9
Cymbals - 2
Djembe Drum - 8
Acoustic Drum Set - 42
Electric Drum Set - 9
Electric Piano - 72
Electronics - 30
Euphonium/Baritone - 9
Flugel Horn - 1
Flute - 107
French Horn - 16
Guitar (Acoustic) - 86
Guitar (Acoustic/Electric) - 17
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Guitar (Classical) - 43
Guitar (Electric) - 124
Hammered Dulcimer - 2
Hand Drums - 42
Harmonica - 30
Harp - 5
Mandolin - 13
Marimba - 1
Mellophone - 2
Metallophone - 1
Oboe - 13
Small Percussion - 253
Other - String - 5
Piccolo - 7
Snare Drum/Percussion Kits - 40
Soprano Saxophone 3
Steelpan - 1
Tenor Saxophone - 5
Timpani - 4
Trombone - 51
Trumpet - 120
Tuba - 5
Tubular Bells - 1
Ukulele - 43
Upright Bass - 9
Viola - 130
Violin - 709
Xylophone - 29
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Looking forward to another record-breaking year!
May you always find comfort with music.
Jeff Campbell
Founder/Director
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Huge Donation Facilitated
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Hungry for Music has provided music instruments to The Feel Good Tour’s project missions and annual holiday music instrument giveaway for close to 10 years.
We were recently offered more than 7,500 brand new pre-school musical instruments from a donor in Florida, including small keyboards, guitars, drums, and much more. Since we normally do not receive requests for instruments like these, we thought they would be perfect for The Feel Good Tour.
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Hungry for Music facilitated this huge instrument donation in January. The Feel Good Tour partnered with Habitat for Humanity’s Roanoke, Virginia branch, which took care of the freight costs and warehouse space. The Feel Good Tour will distribute the instruments as needed for their mission. Also, some of these instruments will be sold at the Habitat ReStore, with all profits being used to support their mission of providing safe, affordable homes in the Roanoke Valley. Hungry for Music will pick up a small amount of these instruments for our distribution.
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Our Mission in Action
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Why we do what we do! - |
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“Dayana's journey with music has truly blossomed over the past three years. She has played the flute and piccolo in my top ensemble for the last 2 years. This year she even made it into our local All County Honor Band. She also consistently earns Superiors at Solo and Ensemble.
When the donation arrived today she squealed and literally jumped up and down with joy. Having an instrument to call her own is going to give her not only the practical ability to practice daily, but also a renewed sense of confidence and belonging.
Dayana will be able to continue into high school next year ready to take on all musical challenges."
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“The generosity of Hungry for Music did more than provide an instrument; it has opened doors, built confidence, and given Dayana the opportunity to fully realize her potential. This single act of kindness created a lasting impact that will resonate throughout her life, one beautiful note at a time.
“Thank you so very much Hungry for Music for your continued support of my talented students. “
Shanna, music teacher
Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences
Florida
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“I just wanted to send a big thanks for all of your help and the instruments provided to our kids and band program this year."
Melissa Santamaria
Phillipsburg Elementary School
New Jersey
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Over the last several years, Hungry for Music has been able to provide upgraded instruments to high school students pursuing music education in college. |
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"I would like to say thank you so very much for the clarinet you gave me! The fact that I'm able to have one is truly a blessing and a privilege that couldn't have happened without your help. I love my new instrument, and can't wait to put it to good use as my repayment for this amazing gift. I truly can't thank you enough, but I'll try. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Mackynzie Jones
Class of 2029
Charleston Charter for Math and Science
South Carolina
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Electric guitars for Rock to the Future in Philadelphia! |
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Recent photos sent to us by Patrice, the music teacher at William J. Clark Middle School in Orangeburg, South Carolina. We love receiving photo updates from recipients! |
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“It’s all about that bass!”
Two upright basses donated to Champs Charter School in Van Nuys, California, on a recent delivery trip to the West Coast.
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Family Foundations Give Huge Boost
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We are extremely grateful for two large grants coming through at the end of 2025 that will support us in continuing to grow our mission of providing music instruments for underserved children.
The first, we applied for, after applying and receiving $40,000 from the Ilsababy Foundation in 2024. In 2025, they awarded us with a $50,000 grant!
The second foundation grant came completely out of nowhere. Just before Christmas, we received a check for $62,250 from the Swenson Family Foundation. They have a new voting member that is a music teacher who has witnessed our outreach in action.
These grants could not have come at a better time because we were needing a new van. Our other two vans are running, but have high mileage.
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Fannie, the new Hungry for Music delivery van, made her maiden voyage to Southern Virginia, Louisville, and St. Louis! Ninety-six instruments delivered! Here’s the program breakdown: |
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Virginia
First stop! Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) - Independence
Kentucky
UK Fine Arts String Project - Lexington
Louisville Folk School
West End School - Louisville
AMPED - Louisville
River City Drum Corps - Louisville
Indiana
Community Music Alliance - New Albany
Missouri
St. Louis Classical Guitar
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Father Thomas - Sacred Heart Parish for Bukalusa Seminary in Uganda |
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We appreciate kids supporting Hungry for Music with instrument drives conducted for service projects.
Abigail Gillespie collected 125 musical instruments for her Eagle Scout Service Project. Way to go, Abigail. Awesome job! |
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Alicia and Andrea Medina, with their parent’s support, have been supporting Hungry for Music since they were little girls by holding instrument drives and picking up from donors in the Miami area. Alicia will be going off to college this fall. How time flies! They are pictured here with recent donors.
Grateful for your continued support, Alicia and Andrea! |
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Gabe Murcia, of Troop 422 in Selma, North Carolina, dropped off a load of instruments to the Hungry for Music Distribution Center that he had collected for his Eagle Scout Service Project.
Thank you, Gabe!
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We are grateful once again to Destroy A Drum for sharing proceeds from a special t-shirt sale with Hungry for Music! Check it out! Thank you! |
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We greatly appreciate the Amazon Fulfillment Center, in Fishersville, Virgina, for gifting us with plenty of paper products, including a year’s supply of toilet paper (at least!). We paid about half of this generous gift forward to Shenandoah Valley Social Services for needy families.
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Hungry for Music is thankful for D. R. Webster for donating proceeds from this rock project to us!
Spiderweb is an instrumental rock endeavor spearheaded by composer, arranger, and producer D.R. Webster, with this release convening esteemed musicians and guest soloists from across the rock, metal, and progressive music sphere.
Bionic- EPK
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Growth
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What a difference three years makes! -
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Since becoming a non-profit 31 years ago, Hungry for Music has brought the healing quality of music to more than 27,000 children in 50 states and 40 countries through its musical instrument donation program. We appreciate everyone who has helped us along the way and could not fulfill our mission without the generosity of others.
If you are able, please donate funds, buy a t-shirt from our online store, or visit our website to find out about other ways you can support Hungry for Music. |
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Miss a recent newsletter? Click the link to view past issues. |
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