“Help!,” the Beatles’ 1965 hit written by the late John Lennon was, according to him, more than a rock and roll song. It was actually a cry for help from deep within. Lennon suffered from depression and felt that he needed help beyond himself.

Don’t we all need a little help from time to time? Bogalusa Help Center, with Gene Hayman at the helm, is in the business of lending a helping hand.

“The needs in our area are great,” Hayman said. “We supplement families’ nutritional needs through the generosity of the wonderful people of Bogalusa and Washington Parish and have been doing so for nearly 30 years.”

One man that is leading the way for the community to come together in support of the center is Allen Barber, along with Calvary’s Harmony Quartet. Barber and the quartet will be live in concert on Saturday, April 30 at E.S.M. Methodist Church, located at 510 Ave. B.

Admission to this exciting evening of music is simply a donation of canned goods or cash to benefit our local food bank.

Barber recently celebrated his 20th birthday, but has a resume of a musician with many more birthdays to his credit.

“I’ve loved music all my life,” he said. “At 10, I met Tracy Phillips in Roswell, Georgia. Soon she became my piano teacher. I have been blessed to receive many awards over the years, but I am most proud of Nashville’s Stamps Baxter School of Music’s Anthony Burger Scholarship. This group has been renowned for top publishers and musicians throughout the years.”

“Since I was a child the Lord used gospel music to sooth and comfort me,” Barber said. “Now I use music to bring joy and comfort to others.”

Sunday Best, Barber’s collection of gospel music, will be available on CD for $15 at the benefit.

Bogalusa Help Center gives food to around 500 families per month. Many of the Help Center’s clients are elderly. Many are working hard to make a living and support their families, but the money doesn’t quite make it to the end of the month.

With your support the Help Center will continue to reach out to those in need. After all, lyrics from another famous Beatles song sum it up nicely — “We all get by with a little help from our friends.”