Coming up on Saturday October 24th, local comedy enthusiasts and humanitarians can help a mother and son duo fight hunger by tuning in for a few laughs and donating to a great cause. The first ‘Virtual Comedy Relief Benefit’ hosted by St. Petersburg’s Spitfire Comedy House will split 50% of donations received during the event with Gert’s Kitchen, a local food bank. The evening will feature 2 hours of all-ages comedy and some of the most experienced local comedians doing professional short form and long form improv comedy.

The event will be featured live from Spitfire’s mainstage and shared for free on Facebook starting at 8p. Donation links will be included so viewers can support the cause easily while they watch. Those who wish to attend live can also reserve seats through Spitfire’s website.

Nick Rigs and his mother Germaine Marshall said the idea was a no brainer. “Right when COVID-19 hit we we’re talking about ways we could work together to do some good and share laughs with a bigger audience,” said Rigs. “We want people to know that they can watch from home and help their neighbors at the same time.”

Rigs is co-owner and Artistic Director of Spitfire Comedy House in downtown St Pete and Marshall is founder of Gert’s Kitchen, a local food bank in Pinellas County. Both organizations were founded in memory of the same woman, Gertrude ‘Gert’ Sawatzki, a lifelong chef and matriarch who spent her later years as a St. Petersburg resident and provided the start-up money for both organizations in her passing.

“We really want people to know what we do,” said Marshall. Gert’s Kitchen helps families in immediate need, providing gift cards for food or essential items and even taking people grocery shopping. “We make no money and everyone is a volunteer, so we rely on donations to keep helping people who are facing the worst right now,” Marshall said.

Tune-in and watch some all-ages comedy and help those who are struggling the most.  You can find the Facebook event and stream here, or reserve seats for the in-person show in advance at www.spitfirecomedy.com/shows.

About Spitfire Comedy House

Spitfire Comedy House, established in 2016, is the only place to find improv, stand up and sketch comedy every weekend in Tampa Bay, featuring the largest collective of local performers and comics in the Bay Area.

Spitfire teams up with different non-profit organizations right here in Tampa Bay. Let us know if you are interested in renting our 2,400 sq ft space or teaming up for a online fundraiser contact us at info@spitfirecomedy.com.