VSO Participates in Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive

The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra is collecting nonperishable food items for Second Harvest of South Georgia during the annual League of American Orchestra’s Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive.

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is once again participating in the annual League of American Orchestra’s Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive.

“We wanted the VSO to be a part of this program because we believe this is another important way that we can give back to our community,” said Dr. Howard Hsu, VSO music director.

The Valdosta State University campus and surrounding communities are asked to support the VSO’s efforts by donating a nonperishable food item during the food drive. Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the Fine Arts Building, located at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street, or the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, located at 527 N. Patterson St., through Monday, March 11. 

The food collected will benefit Second Harvest of South Georgia, which supplies food and grocery product to more than 300 nonprofit organizations in Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Clinch, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Thomas, and Ware counties. The food bank is in need of all nonperishable food items, particularly dry soup, rice, canned or powdered milk, macaroni and cheese, cereal, peanut butter, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, tuna, canned meats, stew, soup, pasta, and fruit juices. 

During the 2012 food drive, the VSO collected 77 pounds of food.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of Orchestras Feeding America. Since the food drive’s inception, more than 250 orchestras from across the country have collected over 400,000 pounds of food for needy families.

“The efforts of these orchestras has helped spread the word about how and why orchestras are so necessary to their communities, beyond providing amazing music,” according to the League of American Orchestras.

Contact Dr. Howard Hsu at hphsu@valdosta.edu to learn more.

On the Web:

www.americanorchestras.org

www.valdostasymphony.org

www.valdostafoodbank.org

Note: The VSO cannot accept items in glass jars or bottles, items that are unlabeled, dented cans, homemade foods, expired products, monetary donations, any open or resealed packages, clothing, diapers, other nonfood items, or perishable foods.