SANDPOINT — When Camden Morris announced his 3 1/2-month tour across the Pacific Northwest, he knew he wanted his performance at the Blue Heron Cafe in Sandpoint to raise money for a good cause. 

So, when Jason Stoddard, managing partner of the Blue Heron Cafe, suggested they raise money for the Bonner Community Food Bank, Morris was all in. 

Community members are invited to attend the free event at the cafe Saturday, Aug. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. A suggested donation upon entry will be available at the door, with all proceeds going toward the food bank. 

The Bonner Community Food Bank provides a food resource for low-income families, disabled individuals, children and senior citizens in times of emergency, assisting roughly 3,000 clients each month, according to the organization’s website.

“My heart has been very connected to that specific subject of helping out the community in that way,” said Morris. 

When Morris was in college, he made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on Sundays and passed them out to the homeless community. 

“When you’re doing acts of service, it makes your heart feel full,” said Morris, “Having a platform to be able to give back to the community is a beautiful thing and I’m hoping it can inspire the community to be cautious and conscious of what’s going on.” 

The 24-year-old musician was raised between the mountains of North Idaho and the coastlines of Southern California, pulling inspiration from both states to shape his music. 

Four summers ago, Morris began playing at open mic nights in Sandpoint after ending the workday at his construction job. 

He decided to take his music career more seriously the following summer, after being in a college band. 

"I got a bunch of equipment and did about 50 shows that summer, I was playing about four times a week," Morris said. "The following summer, I did the same thing and played probably even more shows than that." 

It wasn't until Morris injured himself while playing lacrosse that he decided to pursue a full-time music career. 

"I was in grad school, and I was sitting trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life," said Morris, "I came to the conclusion that if I could just play the guitar, I'd want to go full-time [with] music." 

With words of encouragement from the community, Morris was inspired to move to Nashville, Tenn., last October. He connected with Suede Records just two weeks after moving and signed his first record deal last December.  

After moving, Morris wrote a list of things he wanted to do — one of them was to go on a mini tour. 

For a month, the musician mapped out the tour, sending emails and reaching out to connections to schedule shows. 

“As Cam would say, if you don’t come for the music, come for the cause,” said Jerry Morris, father of Camden Morris. 

One of Camden Morris's songs, "American Way," pays homage to Sandpoint, with lyrics mentioning his uncle who farms the land off Elmira Road at Sandpoint Ranch, along with other local names and landmarks that capture the character of the city. 

“He’s got a sound where he lets the guitar breathe to add tension,” said Jerry, adding that his son's voice is likened to that of a 60-year-old man who has been on the road for a long time. “That’s a lot of cigarettes.” 

For Camden Morris, performing is less about himself and more about the connection it fosters. 

"It makes me feel really, really good to put on the best show I possibly can to make somebody smile," said Camden Morris. 

Eventually, he hopes to return to the city that molded much of his music. 

"He jokingly says 'when my music career is over, I want to retire in Sandpoint,'" said Jerry.