March 8, 2010
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra to Join Orchestras Feeding America to Benefit Food Resources, Inc.

America’s Orchestras Participate in National Food Drive
for Second Consecutive Year

Audiences and Community Members Invited to Drop off Food
March 15 through March 21

Hagerstown, MD—The Maryland Symphony Orchestra will participate in Orchestras Feeding America, a national food drive by members of the League of America Orchestras in partnership with Feeding America, of which Food Resources is a member.  This is the second consecutive year that America’s orchestras have mobilized their musicians, staff, volunteers and audiences to help alleviate hunger in communities across the country.  In 2009 250 orchestras in all 50 states collected more than 200,000 pounds. 

The MSO’s Food Drive will be in two parts.  From Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., donations may be dropped off at the MSO office at 30 West Washington Street in downtown Hagerstown.  For every ten items donated, the donor will receive one free ticket to either the Saturday, March 20 or Sunday, March 21 performance of the Masterworks IV concert featuring the pianist, Thomas Pandolfi. 

The second opportunity to donate will be on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 at the Masterworks IV concerts.  For every ten items donated, weekend donors will receive a coupon worth 20% off the price of a single ticket for the Masterworks V concerts, Magnificent Mahler, on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25. 

“The length and severity of the economic downturn has impacted many of us, individuals and businesses alike, but now is the time for us to help our neighbors most in need, “ said MSO Executive Director Andrew Kipe.  “This food drive is one way our orchestra can give back to the community that has supported it for so long.”   

49.1 million Americans, of which 16.7 million were children, lived in food insecure households in 2008, according to the most recent USDA study.  Each week, approximately 5.7 million people receive emergency food assistance from an agency served by a Feeding America member.  This is a 27 percent increase over numbers reported in Hunger in America 2006, which reported that 4.5 million people were served each week. 

RuthAnne Callaham, executive director of Food Resources, says, “We are thrilled that the MSO is joining us in our fight against hunger in the quad-state region.  This partnership will help the hungry or people who are at risk of hunger during this very difficult time.  Last year’s MSO Food Drive brought in over 600 pounds of food”   

Much needed food includes dry soups, rice, powdered/canned mail, macaroni & cheese, beans, canned fruits & vegetables, tuna, canned meats, pasta, cereal and fruit juices.  We will be unable to accept items in glass jars or bottles, unlabeled or dented cans, perishable foods, homemade foods, expired products, monetary donations or clothing and other non-food items. 

Food Resources, Inc. operates out of a 12,000 square foot warehouse and since 1987 has served as a regional non-profit warehouse from which other charitable organizations can obtain food and other items for their feeding programs.  FRI currently has 75 member agencies in Washington and Frederick Counties in Maryland and Franklin and Fulton Counties in Pennsylvania.  They distribute approximately 1.4 million pounds of food, touching the lives of 1,000 families and over 3,500 individuals each month. 

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is the area’s premier professional orchestra, dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region. 

The MSO is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.  An agency of the Department of Business and Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities.