The San Anselmo singer/songwriter is back December 7 at the Throckmorton Theatre for her ninth annual charity benefit. Audiences love her soulful vocals and the fact that 100 percent of proceeds go to ExtraFood.org.

BY JIM WOOD

What first drew you to ExtraFood Marin, and how long have you been contributing to its efforts?

My best friend, Heidi Krahling, who owns Insalata’s and Marinitas in San Anselmo, introduced me to ExtraFood because of my interest in giving back and my ability to raise money for good causes. I’d been involved with Meals on Wheels San Francisco for a long time, but wanted to do something in my own community. That was five years ago.

Precisely what is it that you do for them? And what do you get out of it?

Nine years ago, I started a benefit concert to celebrate my turning 50 years old in a positive way. Getting food to people in need seemed like a good thing to do. Since then, 100 percent of all proceeds from my music go to assist various organizations in San Francisco and Marin that help the homeless, the LGBTQ community, food banks, anti-bullying organizations and various drug rehabilitation programs. Why do I do it? It makes me happy.

Do you perform in benefits outside of Marin?

Next year, I’ll do a widely publicized concert at Eglise Saint-Eustache, one of only two churches in Paris, France, that welcomed people suffering during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. This amazing church also started a soup kitchen that is still active today. This concert, and my upcoming record St. Mary’s, will be part of my 60th birthday.

What inspires or motivates you to do these concerts?

I grew up in Detroit in a big family and, as the oldest, I always felt a strong sense of responsibility. While raising my sons around a lot of affluence here in Marin, I taught them that economic grace comes with responsibility. We do it in our family business, BMW of San Francisco, and we do it in our family life. I love grand gestures that help people, but all acts of kindness matter. My husband of 40 years, two sons, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, granddaughter and future grandson all remind me every day of how lucky I am. I know that all the gifts I have been given are for a reason, and it is my job to put them back out into the world in whatever way I can.

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Feed the hungry with a benefit concert

By Cari Lynn Pace Marinscope contributor Nov 30, 2016

ExtraFood.org might be amusingly considered Marin County’s “Robin Hood of Food.” The non-profit weekly “rescues” tons of excess food from upscale restaurants and supermarkets and distributes it to those in need. Volunteers respond when excess food, prepared or ready for cooking, is available for the taking. They pick up from restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and markets and quickly deliver it to senior centers, homeless shelters, and other needy and hungry organizations.

ExtraFood.org has a fundraising champion with Bay Area singer/songwriter Michelle Schmitt. Schmitt will perform a benefit concert with her band on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. Come rock with the music and work off those Thanksgiving calories.

Celebrity Chef Heidi Krahling, of San Anselmo’s Insalata’s Restaurant, serves on the ExtraFood.org board and is thrilled with her years supporting the program. Krahling says “No waste, no hunger, that’s where we’re going!” Krahling will cater a pre-concert reception for VIP ticket holders.

Read the full article at the Mill Valley Herald online »

Click here for more concert info and to get your tickets!

Bay Area singer-songwriter Michelle Schmitt announced today that she will bring her eighth annual holiday concert to 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 8 p.m. for one performance only.

Tickets are $25 for general admission seating and include a copy of Michelle’s new holiday album, “Christmas Gifts.” VIP tickets are available for $100 and include Michelle’s new album, a pre-performance VIP food and wine reception courtesy of Insalatas beginning at 6:45 p.m. and priority seating. Tickets are available now online at 142 Throckmorton Theatre, by phone at (415) 383-9600 or at the 142 Throckmorton Box Office. All proceeds from tickets sales will benefit ExtraFood.org and their mission to help end hunger and reduce waste in Marin County.

Schmitt will perform songs off “Christmas Gifts,” as well as selection of songs from her previous three holiday records that have raised much-needed funds to feed the hungry. Michelle’s 11 CDs, including “Christmas Gifts,” will be available for purchase at the concert, with 100% of the evening’s proceeds going to ExtraFood.org.

Says Schmitt: “I can’t think of a better way to kick off the holidays than to bring the community together for our 8th annual holiday concert. ExtraFood.org is making a big difference in our community and helping a lot of people get much needed food. At the end of the day, this is what the holidays are about for me.”

Adds Heidi Krahling, ExtraFood.org Board Member: “The holidays would not be the same without Michelle’s benefit concert. Through her support of ExtraFood.org, we have been able to continue helping tens of thousands of people over the years. We would not have been able to do so much without her.”

Michelle Schmitt is a Bay Area singer-songwriter who has been playing guitar and writing songs since the age of 12. Schmitt, who has lived in the Bay Area since the late-seventies, grew up in Detroit where she was exposed to great music which she credits as her inspiration.

“Christmas Gifts,” her fourth holiday album, released on Saturday, October 1st, is a collection of original and classic Christmas songs including “Something About December,” “It Really is a Wonderful Life” and “Hey Guys, It’s Christmas Time.”

Through her songwriting and soulful voice, Schmitt continues to spread the message of faith, love and hope. Her characteristic rock and soul sound are accompanied by her longtime band, drumming sensation Ricky Fataar, gifted guitarist George Marinelli, Marc Levine on bass, Graham Patzner on keyboards and violin, Lewis Patzner on cello and Nashville guitarist Michael Spriggs.

About ExtraFood
Modeled after the SF organization FoodRunners, ExtraFood.org was founded by Marv Zauderer and rescues tons of food each week and delivers a free, convenient, customized service to help end hunger and reduce waste in Marin County. Our goal, in partnership with many: Zero Hunger, Zero Waste in Marin by 2025. To donate, volunteer or for more information, visit www.extrafood.org.

Season of Giving

Michelle Schmitt on parental influence, the holiday spirit and Detroit rock and roll.

Singer, songwriter and Marin County resident Michelle Schmitt is a believer in giving back. Schmitt’s annual holiday concert on the first Thursday of December is a staple of the season, and with the release of her newest holiday album, Another Christmas Story, she’s expanding her charitable efforts and donating 100 percent of album sales and concert tickets to the Marin-based nonprofit ExtraFood. She performs on December 3 at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley.

Schmitt credits her father for introducing her to holiday music. “He was a huge inspiration for me,” she says. “He was kind and patient, and he loved holiday music. We learned every song.”

Read full article on Bohemian.com »

Read full article on PacificSun »

ExtraFood Executive Director, Marv Zauderer is thrilled to announce that Bay Area singer-songwriter Michelle Schmitt will bring her 6th annual holiday concert to 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley tonight, December 4, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for General Admission and $100 for VIP tickets and are available online at 142 Throckmorton Theatre, by phone at (415) 383-9600 or at the 142 Throckmorton Box Office. VIP tickets includes Michelle’s new album, TO REMEMBER YOU, a pre-performance VIP food and wine reception courtesy of Insalatas at 6:45 p.m. and priority seating. General Admission tickets also include the new album. All proceeds from tickets sales will benefit ExtraFood and their mission to help end hunger and reduce waste in Marin County.

“The holidays would not be the same without Michelle’s benefit concert. Her longtime support of organizations feeding the hungry, touches the lives of so many and has fed tens of thousands of people over the years. We are all grateful for her support” says ExtraFood board member Heidi Krahling.

Schmitt says, “The holidays are a time to help those less fortunate and I’m thrilled to be returning to 142 Throckmorton to share my music knowing that it is benefiting those in need.”

Michelle Schmitt is a Bay Area singer-songwriter who has been making music since the age of 12. Schmitt, who has lived in the Bay Area since the late-seventies, grew up in Detroit and was exposed to great music and credits artists like Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Tracy Chapman, & Stevie Nicks for her inspiration.

“TO REMEMBER YOU,” her latest and second holiday album, will be released on Thursday, December 4th and features lush orchestral arrangements and interpretations of holiday favorites as well as Michelle’s original holiday songs.

Schmitt’s songs are observations about life’s experiences of the heart. Her music spreads messages of faith, love & hope. Her soulful vocals are accompanied by drumming sensation, Ricky Fataar, gifted guitarists George Marinelli & Drew Zingg and Graham Patzner on keyboards, Marc Levine on bass, Anton Patzner on violin and Lewis Patzner on cello.

Benefit attendees will enjoy the debut of “TO REMEMBER YOU” as well as songs from Schmitt’s “Christmas on Pine Mountain,” which has raised much-needed funds to feed the hungry. All proceeds from the album “TO REMEMBER YOU” benefit ExtraFood in perpetuity. Michelle’s ten CDs, including “TO REMEMBER YOU,” will be available for purchase at the concert, with 100% of the evening’s proceeds going to ExtraFood.

Tickets are $25 for General Admission and $100 for VIP tickets and available online at 142 Throckmorton Theatre, by phone at (415) 383-9600 or at the 142 Throckmorton Box Office. VIP tckets includes Michelle’s new album, “TO REMEMBER YOU,” a pre-performance VIP food and wine reception courtesy of INSALATAS at 6:45 p.m. and priority seating and General Admission also includes the new album.

Thank you all for contributing to a HUGE holiday success!!!  Looking forward to another year of moving as many people as possible with music, love and generosity.