Preparations for “Pickin’ for the Pantry” continue with more than 40 items for the silent auction to bid on during the Bluegrass Benefit Concert Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Gilmer Civic Center.Doors open at 5 p.m.

The concert will benefit the Upshur County Shares Food Bank.

The concert will begin at 6 p.m. and will continue until 10.

Upshur County Shares is a project of the Ministerial Alliance of Upshur County and assists individuals with food and other assistance. Well over 200 families were assisted in July and the numbers have been increasing monthly.

Many of the silent auction items have been donated by area churches and follow a theme.

All proceeds benefit the Upshur County Shares Food Bank.

Four Bluegrass groups have committed to perform at the benefit: Brushy Creek, Brand New Strings, the Smith Family Band and the Reynolds Family.

Tickets are on sale $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Many of the advance tickets have been distributed to members of area churches.

The Mack Smith Family Band perhaps has the longest roots in Bluegrass of all of the groups performing Saturday.

Mack Smith, guitar and lead vocal, has been playing and singing since the age of 14. He performd at the Big D Jamboree, the Louisiana Hayride, and more recently at bluegrass festivals and churches all over the central and southeastern United States.

Joining him is James Smith, who has played the bass since age nine. James has played with many name bands including Marty Stuart, Gary Sturat, Hank Thompson and others.

Allen Smith has been playing fiddle since age 10 with a number of other bands and has had his own band, “The Right Direction.”

Two other members of the group are David Vandenburg on the mandolin since 2001 and Jim Partain, who plays dubro after joining the group last year.

The Mack Smith Family plays at churches all over the Dallas area and East Texas.

A concession stand with food and drinks will be open.

To purchase tickets, call Les Morris at 903-790-4990.

Those attending the Gilmer-Jasper playoff game are urged to drop in on their way home after the game. The bands will still be picking away as you bid on the items and relax.