Montco Radio’s annual Stock Up Rock Out event at Montgomery County Community College, held on Saturday, Nov. 9,  began with an empty table and a quiet studio. By the end of the day, the table overflowed with donated food for Montco’s  food pantries, while students filled the airways with their favorite tunes.

In addition, the event raised over $750 in monetary donations from local supporters and listeners from across the country, including as far as Florida. The event’s resounding success stemmed from a shared passion for music and the desire to help students facing food insecurity.

“It’s great radio for a good cause,” said Matt Porter, Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager, who was onsite throughout the daylong event.

Montco Radio broadcasts online worldwide from the studio located in the Advanced Technology Center on the Blue Bell Campus. According to its website,  the station’s programming “reflects the diversity of the college community, ranging from rock to hip hop to oldies and more.” It’s slogan, “Where Music and Minds Meet,” captures its unique mission.

The event featured the following lineup of student hosts:

• Donnell Woods, Josh Crew, Mike Lerro (Kick off show/JBoy Culture/The Ranks)
• Bella Chesnes (Renaissance of Sound)
• Kody Lewis (Metal + Mystery)
• Charles McGrother (Chalie's Classics)
• Angie Holis, Tanya Beckwith (All That Jazz/Smooth Jazz & Silky Soul)
• Kayla Horger, Zig Wheitsel, Ava Pendlebury, Ray Milliard, Paige Wheitsel  (Beatles Bakey, Power of Positivity) 
• Lauren Perry (What? Next!)
• Saya Lapreziosa (Jibberish Jungle)
• Nick  Feuchtmayer (The Mystery Vault)
• Kameron Duty (Kam's KISS Club)

Jeff Asch and Lindsay Levin, Mass Media and Sound Production instructors, serve as the co-advisors for the Montco Radio club.

“One of the things I love about the event is that students could do things that they couldn’t do during their regularly scheduled shows,” Porter said.

One example is 21-year-old Isabella “Bella” Chesnes, who hosts the classic rock show, “Renaissance of Sound.” Chesnes invited her 74-year-old grandmother, Pam Spears, to join her on the show.

“My grandmother has always been a special part of my life because she raised me,” said Chesnes. “She’s the reason I became who I am.”

Spears, a U.S. Navy veteran stationed in San Diego, California, during her service, inspired Chesnes’ love of classic rock, including bands like the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eagles and Marshall Tucker.

“I always wanted to have her on the show, but I was hesitant,” Chesnes said. “Matt Porter encouraged me, and although it took some convincing, she had a great time and wants to come back.”

“This experience meant so much to me because she is an integral part of the behind-the-scenes for my show. When I told her that I was starting my show on Montco Radio, she was so excited,” said the Mass Media Production major.

Another highlight was when Angie Holis and Tanya Beckwith, who host individual jazz shows, had the opportunity to do a jazz show together.

“It was fantastic,” said Porter, describing how they two women could share their passion and knowledge on air together. “They were talking about some of the most important women of jazz, and it was one of the highlights of the day.”

Montco Radio has hosted the Stock Up Rock Out event for over decade, Porter said.

“The first one was called the ‘WeeCanned,’ because it was on a weekend, and we wanted people to donate canned goods for Manna on Main Street,” he said. “It was usually around Thanksgiving.”

After the pandemic, Montco Radio pivoted from canned goods to grab-and-go items needed for the College’s food pantries. In addition to the pantry shelves, food items are distributed in baskets placed around the campuses.

“The students can see their work in action,” Porter said, describing how hungry students can help themselves to breakfast and granola bars before heading to class or grab snacks throughout the day.

In addition to the online platform, Montco Radio also broadcasts in the quad, bringing lively music to the campus environment.

“I like seeing the impact – sometimes I see students dancing around the quad to my show,” said Chesnes. “One time I saw an older listener give me a thumbs-up through the studio window. It made my day.”

The station’s next fundraising event, the Montco Radio Alumni Broadcast, will take place in the spring and feature alumni hosts.

For more information about Montco Radio, including a complete list of shows and times, visit montcoradio.com.