The Portland Symphony Orchestra hopes that people who attend this week’s concerts at Merrill Auditorium bring a little heart and soul with them.

For the third year, the orchestra is teaming with the League of American Orchestras to collect food as part of its Orchestras Feeding America program. Ticket-holders are asked to bring food or funds to the concert on Tuesday. On Monday, anyone who shows up with a donation will get into the dress rehearsal for free. Monday’s rehearsal begins at 7 p.m., and Tuesday’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Good Shepherd Food-Bank is coordinating the campaign.

“The PSO is here to serve our community by enriching lives through music, and partnerships are an important way for us to connect with the community around us in a meaningful way,” said the orchestra’s executive director, Lisa Dixon.

In addition to Good Shepherd, the orchestra is working with concert sponsors Dead River Co. and Verrill Dana to build enthusiasm for the food drive, she said.

Last year, Orchestras Feeding America generated 86,000 pounds of food. Over three years, the total is more than 350,000 pounds. It involves 250 orchestras in 50 states.

Hunger experts say the need for food grows acute at this time of year. People are generous with donations around the holidays, but then donations drop off. A targeted food drive with a national footprint goes a long way toward satisfying needs, they say.

The need in Maine is particularly serious, according to Good Shepherd.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 15.4 percent of Maine households, or 200,000 individuals, are considered “food insecure,” and that number has increased in recent years. Maine ranks 13th in the nation and first in New England in terms of food insecurity.

Dixon welcomes the chance to change those statistics.

“It is our hope that PSO patrons will join us in embracing this opportunity to help others by donating food or funds at Monday night’s open dress rehearsal or Tuesday night’s concert,” she said.

Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457 or at:

bkeyes@pressherald.com

Twitter: pphbkeyes

 

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