PORT ANGELES — All four of the bands playing Snowgrass on Saturday night are doing so for no money, which suits them fine.

David Rivers, guitarist with the headlining Abby Mae & the Homeschool Boys, offers his take on why his band chose this non-paying gig, which is the 10th annual benefit for First Step Family Support Center of Port Angeles.

It’s about the thousands of parents and children who come to the center each year for the basics: food, baby clothes, maternity support — plus parenting classes and children’s books they otherwise couldn’t afford.

Snowgrass “is a way to rally around First Step,” Rivers said.

Last year, he volunteered with the center’s summer lunch program, so he got to see how many families simply needed a meal.

“In 2011, we served 1,874 individual adults and approximately 3,370 individual children,” reported Melissa Randazzo, First Step’s development director.

School-readiness program

The organization’s school-readiness program served 555 families, the maternity support program served 448 families, and the parenting classes saw 398 visits in 2010, according to First Step’s website, www.FirstStepFamily.org.

The center, founded in 1971, lives on grants, contracts and donations to serve Clallam County families: single and married mothers and fathers and their kids, from newborn babies on up to teenagers.

First Step’s maternity support services, for example, “supply a nurse, dietitian, social worker and anything else required to assist with a healthy pregnancy and birth,” Randazzo said.

Parents and caregivers can come to First Step for emergency food, equipment and clothing, as well as information about other local agencies providing support.

First Step’s own list of offerings also includes home visiting programs for new parents, free classes such as “Make Parenting a Pleasure,” and on-site child care while moms and dads attend those classes and support groups.

Narcotics Anonymous meetings are also held at the center twice a week, with free child care and snacks provided.

In a typical month, more than 500 people use First Step’s Sequim and Port Angeles drop-in centers, Randazzo added.

The centers provide emergency diapers and formula, access to phones, computers, fax and copying machines, nutritious snacks and free children’s books.

First Step has 30 full- and part-time staff members, plus a team of volunteers, plus a Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/FirstStepFSC.

For those who want to contact First Step the old-fashioned way, the drop-in center at 325 E. Sixth St. in Port Angeles is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, while the office phone is 360-457-8355.

Rivers, for his part, expressed gratitude for the chance to offer music on behalf of First Step’s youngest clients.

After all, “our children are going to be our new leaders,” he said.

________

Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.