This week, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Kroger Co. add a new element to their Symphony on the Prairie partnership. These organizations are joining forces in a food drive to fill the pantries at Gleaners Food Bank. We invite Kroger Symphony on the Prairie patrons to join us in “Sharing on the Prairie.”
September is Hunger Action Month and the final four concerts of this season (Aug. 31 through Sept. 3) provide a perfect opportunity to help our neighbors in need. “Sharing on the Prairie allows us to demonstrate the Kroger commitment to do more than put food on the table,” said Katie Wolfram, President of Kroger Central Division. “We strive to feed the human spirit. And we will do that by addressing one of the most critical concerns in our communities.”
“The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is committed to enriching our community in as many ways as possible,” said Steve Hamilton, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the ISO, “and this includes finding opportunities to shed light on important services to assist our neighbors. We are honored to partner with Kroger and Conner Prairie to support the vital work of our friends at Gleaners, and we look forward to sharing in the spirit of giving with patrons this weekend.”
The need is staggering. John Elliott, President and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank says in Indiana, one million people often don’t know where their next meal will come from. “As generous Hoosiers attend Kroger Symphony on the Prairie this weekend,” Elliott said, “enriching their own lives through two of Indiana’s greatest cultural treasures, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Conner Prairie Living History Museum, they also have an opportunity to improve the lives of neighbors who are hungry. By bringing non-perishable items to the food drive, generous concert-goers will collectively make a difference for food insecure Hoosiers — and once again the hard-working team at Gleaners Food Bank has an opportunity to thank a generous corporate citizen who has been feeding people in need for 134 years. Gleaners has no greater partner in the fight to end hunger than The Kroger Co.”
Donating is easy. As you prepare your pre-concert picnic to take to Conner Prairie, simply throw a non-perishable food item in your basket. Gleaners suggests considering a variety of non-perishable foods which can be found on their donation list here. The “Sharing on the Prairie” team will be at the Kroger truck parked near the main gate and at collection barrels around the grounds.
Katie Wolfram said, “In every Kroger community, fighting hunger is our top priority. With the help of our generous Kroger customers we will enhance our already strong partnership with Gleaners, bringing help and hope to hungry Hoosiers.”
We look forward to seeing you this weekend as we close out the summer season with the music of Prince and Led Zeppelin, and support our community services along the way!