(l-r) Kathleen and Bill Oliver raise a glass with Krista Detor. The Olivers are the honorary chairs of Detor’s annual holiday show; this year’s beneficiary is Bloomington Meals on Wheels. Photo by Jaime Sweany

BY ALLISON YATES

Bloomington’s internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Krista Detor will present the 2017 Krista Detor Holiday Musical Feast: Horn of Plenty on Friday, December 15, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington.

For 12 years, Detor has put on the holiday show and donated proceeds to a charity. Deciding on this year’s benefactor was easy, says Detor: “Meals on Wheels is something we can’t afford to lose.”

Bloomington Meals on Wheels (BMOW) has been providing nutritious meals to homebound residents for more than 40 years. The service costs $7 per day, but if individuals are unable to afford the cost, it’s free. “We’re reaching a certain niche of people in the community—generally elderly folk who just can’t get out,” says Kathy Romy, executive director of BMOW. For nearly half of their clients, the BMOW volunteers are the only human contact they have all day. The organization checks on participants’ well-being as well as providing food.

“We’ve got an important mission, and this concert will help us continue way into the future,” Romy says.

Detor is dedicating the show to BMOW founding member Mary Oliver, and named Mary’s son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Kathleen Oliver, honorary co-chairs. Kathleen says the late Mary Oliver “had some kind of special gene that basically said we need to help people in this community.” Kathleen and Mary were longtime volunteer partners before Mary’s death in 2007.

Kathleen says she hopes the event will shed light on the organization and inspire younger generations to volunteer.

Detor will sing both old favorites and new songs, but other details are under wraps—though she says the audience should expect a few surprises. Although Detor performs around the U.S. and regularly in Europe, she says this show is the one she looks forward to the most: “Because I get to interact with a large number of people in the community in one space, it’s like a gigantic gathering of old friends.”

The event also will feature local artists’ products at a small holiday market, and snacks and beverages will be on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Buskirk-Chumley Box Office for $25, online at bctboxoffice.org, or at the door for $28.