As back-to-school season ramps up, the LSU Tiger Marching Band is gearing up for Band Camp. And for the fifth year, the grueling training session will culminate in a hearty meal dubbed Matt’s Dinner.

Bert and Alice Bahlinger launched the Matthew Bahlinger Memorial Fund and hosted the first Matt’s Dinner in August 2022 to honor the legacy of their son, Matthew, who lost his battle with depression in February of 2022.

While Matt’s Dinner is a logistical feat—hundreds of Tiger Band hopefuls parade through the meal line made possible with the help of dozens of volunteers and donations from Texas Roadhouse, Raising Cane’s, Pepperidge Farm, Coke United, Walk On’s and more in a matter of minutes. But the work of the Matthew Bahlinger Memorial Fund continues year-round.

The fund provides mental health resources, access and support for Tiger Band members, as well as QPR training for section leaders, which teaches them how to identify students who may be struggling and encourage them to seek help. Thanks to generous donations and consistent efforts, the Matthew Bahlinger Memorial Fund now supports a full-time, embedded therapist who is available to students in all LSU Department of Bands and the College of Music and Dramatic Arts.

To learn more or make a donation to the Matthew Bahlinger Memorial Fund, click here.