RPO Offers Two Special Opportunities in Response to Economic Woes
Rochester, NY – Spurred by the rapidly growing concern about the rising rates of hunger in the community, and in response to recent gloomy announcements of numerous local company lay-offs, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is taking bold steps to address both of these important issues.
In association with the League of American Orchestras’ “Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive” http://www.americanorchestras.org/utilities/orchestras_feeding_america.html, the RPO will be working with Foodlink to collect and distribute food items throughout the community. During the month of March, anyone dropping off 10 non-perishable food items to the RPO Box Office (108 East Avenue) will be given a voucher for a pair of free tickets to any of the RPO’s more than a dozen concerts remaining this season, except for the April 24, 25, and May 3 concerts. Boxes will be available for drop-offs during regular RPO Box Office hours, Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm (non-concert Saturdays, 10:00 am-3:00 pm) to be picked up by Foodlink every Friday in March.
“Foodlink is pleased to partner with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in helping our neighbors in need,” said Foodlink Executive Director and Founder Tom Ferraro. “During this time of economic crisis, we depend on the generosity of our community to meet the increased need for services.” Foodlink distributes donated products to over 550 programs in a 10 county area which include soup kitchens, food pantries, day care centers, senior centers, and group homes.
On another local level, any current 2008-09 RPO season subscriber who has been laid-off by a regional employer since January, 2009 will have their 2009-10 same-series subscription seats held until September 15, 2009. If they continue to be unemployed at that time, the RPO will offer them their subscription free of cost. “Our subscribers are some of our most loyal supporters,” said Charlie Owens, RPO President & CEO. “Those who recently have lost their jobs need to know they have our support in their time of need. The RPO is our community’s orchestra, and our patrons come first. This is just one small but tangible way we can demonstrate our gratitude for their support.”
The 2009-10 RPO season will be its first in the renovated 2,260-seat Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, so subscribers are more likely than ever to want to retain their seats. Interested subscribers should email Manager of Patron Services Kate Wahl at kwahl@rpo.org, or call her at 585-454-7311 x231.
