VALDOSTA, GA — The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is once again participating in the annual Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive, as sponsored by the League of American Orchestras.

“The food drive gives the VSO another opportunity to contribute to our community,” said Dr. Howard Hsu, VSO music director.

The Valdosta State University campus and the surrounding communities are asked to support the VSO’s efforts by donating a nonperishable food item during the food drive, March 3-10. Donations may be dropped off at the Student Union, Fine Arts Building lobby, or Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, located at 527 N. Patterson St.

Donations will also be accepted during the VSO’s “Human Inspiration” concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, in Whitehead Auditorium.

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 2013 food drive, the VSO collected 101 pounds of food.

Started in 2009, Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive has seen over 250 orchestras from across the country collect nearly 450,000 pounds of food for needy families.

“The efforts of these orchestras have 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.

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.

Source: Valdosta State Univeristy Press Release