Orchestras Feeding America - March 2011

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra is proud to partner with the Mid-Michigan Food Bank for Orchestras Feeding America, an initiative launched by the League of American Orchestras to encourage orchestras nationwide to make a difference in the issue of hunger in their communities.

During the month of March, the Lansing Symphony is asking audience members to donate food items at the following concerts:

Lansing Symphony Big Band - Sunday, March 6, 2011 - 3pm - Dart Auditorium
Chamber Series: Arcos Trio - Sunday, March 13, 2011 - 3pm - Plymouth Congregational Church
MasterWorks 5: Passion & Fury - Saturday, March 26, 2011 - 8pm - Wharton Center for Performing Arts

The last two years of Orchestras Feeding America have seen more than 250 orchestras from all 50 states collect over 300,000 pounds of food, making this the single largest orchestra project serving communities nationwide. The initiative comes at a time when the issue of hunger is growing in mid-Michigan. During 2009, the Mid-Michigan Food Bank distributed 7.6 million pounds of food within its service area, and demand has been up at least 30% over the previous year. More than 58,300 people receive emergency food each year through the Mid-Michigan Food Bank’s hunger-relief network, and 28% of those are children.

Food will be collected at concerts throughout March, as well as at the Lansing Symphony's offices in downtown Lansing (click here for a map). Please review the list of Most-Needed Food Items when planning your donation.