The British are invading the Flathead Valley this weekend, but it's for a good cause — raising money for the Flathead Food Bank. 

Invasion, a high-energy British tribute rock band, is headlining Flathead Food Bank's annual Feed the Need benefit concert at the Wachholz College Center on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The band's members hail from Los Angeles and Nashville, but with their shaggy haircuts and Lennon sunglasses, they'll bring the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and Queen to the stage, transporting the audience back to the '60s and '70s.  

Local talent and "The Voice" competitor Tommy Edwards will kick off the evening, sharing some of the sounds of Montana before the British take over. 

"My favorite thing about this place is our motto is 'fighting hunger, feeding hope,' which I think are both equally important," said Chris Sidmore, executive director of the food bank. The benefit concert is in line with the food bank's vision of neighbors helping neighbors.  

Thanks to presenting sponsor Toyota, every dollar raised goes toward the food bank and the programs it runs, Sidmore said. This year, proceeds from Feed the Need will boost the food bank's work with children and support the opening of a food bank location in Hungry Horse. 

"Last year we were able to raise a lot more at the concert than we had in years past, which was awesome," Sidmore said. "We knew there's a ton of need in Hungry Horse, and we had a good year, so now we get to do some of those things." 

With limited grocery options and a long drive through Bad Rock Canyon to reach Columbia Falls, which can be dicey in the winter, Sidmore said it's important to have a permanent location in Hungry Horse to support those in need in that community. The food bank has run a mobile pantry, but the donations raised through Feed the Need have moved the needle towards establishing a food bank in the area. 

This is the fourth year that Flathead Food Bank has held its Feed the Need benefit concert.  

Last year, Feed the Need brought in more than $180,000 for the food bank, which was needed as cuts to the federal SNAP program increased demand for the services provided by the food bank. Sidmore said he expects to bring in around the same amount this year to continue bolstering programs and meeting the needs of the community.  

The Flathead Food Bank serves around 100 people per day at its location in the Gateway Community Center. People come to shop at the pantry but also to connect to services provided by organizations that the food bank partners with.  

In 2025, the food bank distributed more than 1.8 million pounds of food and served just under 6,000 households. This includes school backpack programs and meal boxes at Thanksgiving and Christmas. More than 500 volunteers contributed time to support these efforts. 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for youth with general admission seating. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/3arjdc6y. 

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.