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Norwalk Symphony Orchestra to spearhead food drive in Fairfield County
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Feb 3, 2010 - 12:59 PM

Community outreach is taking on a new meaning for The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra as it joins orchestras across the nation in a food drive that will benefit food banks in each locale. Last year was the first ever national effort of this kind to be undertaken by orchestras and of the over 250 symphonies participating, from all of the 50 states, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra raised the twelfth greatest amount of food.

The program, Orchestras Feeding America, is the second national food drive by America’s symphony orchestras. Norwalk Symphony’s musicians, staff, and volunteers will collect non-perishable food between March 14th and March 20th to benefit Norwalk’s Emergency Shelter and the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County.

The USDA reports that in 2009, one in five Americans does not know where their next meal is coming from.

“As a non-profit the NSO is here to enhance the cultural assets of our community but also to help serve our residents in all of their needs,” said Audrey Szychulski, Executive Director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. “We hope that those who can will join us by donating to the food drive or by volunteering their time to help with food collections.”

In addition to performing at Norwalk Concert Hall, Norwalk Symphony’s musicians work with local agencies, schools, and libraries in a variety of programs, including educational outreach that is multi-generational.

Foods like dry and canned soup, rice, cereal, peanut butter, tuna, stew and fruit juice are the most needed foods. Patrons who drop off food donations at the Symphony’s Office at One Park Street between 10 am to 2 pm between Monday, March 15 and Friday, March 19 prior to the Symphony’s concert at 8 pm on Saturday, March 20, will receive a 60% off coupon towards the concert. Additional drop off locations can be found on the Symphony’s website, www.norwalksymphony.org.

For more information on the food drive and a list of drop-off locations and volunteer opportunities, please visit the website, www.norwalksymphony.org, or call 203-847-8844.

About The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra
The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional orchestra under the leadership of Conductor Diane Wittry. Approximately 70% of our musicians live and work in Fairfield County. Many of the world's greatest emerging musicians have performed with the Orchestra and its mission of hosting talented young musicians continues today. The NSO performs in the Norwalk Concert Hall at City Hall, 125 East Avenue. For information, visit www.norwalksymphony.org.

About Orchestras Feeding America
Orchestras Feeding America is organized by the League of American Orchestras, which represents the nation’s professional, volunteer, and youth orchestras and Feeding America’s network of more than 200 food banks and 63,000 agencies.

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