Radical Grassroots Collaboration for Housing Security

Homelessness in Centre County often shows up quietly and close to home—neighbors who are working but lose housing when rents rise faster than paychecks, families one crisis away from instability. What is unfolding locally reflects a broader trend. In 2024, homelessness became increasingly visible across Centre County and the country, affecting individuals, families, and young people in communities once thought to be insulated from the crisis. 

In response, residents have stepped forward in a distinctly grassroots way. Gimme Shelter is a community-led benefit concert organized not by elected officials or institutions, but by local residents who simply asked how they could help. Musicians volunteer their time, community partners donate food and space, and tickets are offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis to keep the event accessible to all. The first two concerts drew roughly 200 people each and raised about $8,000 per event. The funds were distributed collectively to multiple Centre County nonprofits addressing housing insecurity. 

Gimme Shelter is a community-led benefit concert organized not by elected officials or institutions, but by local residents who simply asked how they could help. 

The idea itself grew organically. One of the organizers, Selden Smith, was serving as chair of the State College Borough’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the Community Development Block Grant program, where he met fellow committee member and musician Jason Olcese, who shared a deep concern for affordable housing. A benefit concert emerged from those conversations. Selden, a singer with the Nittany Knights, brought in fellow musicians, including the band Biscuit Jam, while community partners like South Hills School of Business & Technology donated rehearsal and performance space. Others stepped in just as naturally. Eric Ian Farmer introduced the pay-what-you-will model; nonprofits handled ticketing and donations, and the event took shape through trust and shared purpose rather than formal agreements. 

“The remarkable thing is that there is no such entity as Gimme Shelter,” Selden noted. “There’s no contract or paperwork, just people who care, who show up, and do what they say they’ll do.” 

Their vision was simple: fans of the bands would learn more about homelessness and what can be done locally, while supporters of housing agencies would discover new music. Whether or not those audiences fully overlap, the result is an evening that builds awareness, raises resources, and strengthens community connection. 

The organizations supported by Gimme Shelter include: Out of the Cold, Centre Safe, Housing Transitions,  Centre County Youth Service Bureau, and State College Community Land Trust. Each plays a distinct role, from emergency shelter and transitional housing to youth services and long-term community stability, yet all benefit when residents work together to amplify impact across the sector. 

“There’s the homelessness everyone sees, and many hidden versions,” an organizer shared. “So many people are one missed paycheck, one layoff, or one personal crisis away from losing shelter. Housing is a basic human right—it doesn’t need to be earned. The issue is complex, but we have dedicated people who understand that complexity. What they need are resources and broader community awareness.” 

Centre Foundation sees Gimme Shelter as a blueprint for how communities can strengthen impact through collaboration rather than competition. The Foundation values and encourages grassroots, resident-led efforts that create community-driven models of giving. Models that empower neighbors, support multiple nonprofits at once, and build networks of shared responsibility. Where “villages of collaboration” do not yet exist, efforts like this offer another meaningful way for residents to give back and invest in their community’s well-being.

Ultimately, Gimme Shelter is more than a concert. It is proof that when neighbors act together—informally, creatively, and with trust—they can mobilize resources, amplify awareness, and build resilient systems of care that endure beyond a single event. 

To learn more about the Gimme Shelter Annual Benefit Concert supporting housing security in Centre County, join the community on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at South Hills School of Business & Technology, 480 Waupelani Drive, State College, PA. Tickets can be purchased HERE.