Opera House to host anti-hunger food drive Oct. 9

ROCHESTER - Rochester Opera House is unveiling a new fund-raiser to provide assistance to four local hunger relief organizations.

"Pack the House" will be held on Oct. 9 - and their goal is to fill all 750 seats in the theater with a bag of donated food or funds, which will be shared equally between Gather, SHARE Fund Food Pantry, Grace Community Church Food Pantry and End 68 Hours of Hunger.

"SHARE Fund is excited to be a part of this 'cantastic!' event to promote and provide for food insecurity in the Greater Rochester area. Working together, we can help better serve our Neighbors in Need," said Skip Smith, Executive Director of SHARE Fund.

Pack the House will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be drop-off locations throughout Rochester so food may be dropped off the week before the event. Schools and offices are encouraged to hold personal drives or donate to the event.

"These four organizations are doing such incredible work and outreach in our own backyard through their food pantries, mobile markets, home deliveries, and more!" says Jenry Towle, Director of Education at Rochester Opera House. "We are thrilled ROH can help our community by hosting this event."

Scott McKee, president emeritus of Gather's board of directors, added, "Gather is proud to collaborate with The Rochester Opera House, as well as fellow greater Rochester food providers, for the food drive. This event will not only help support anti-hunger efforts in the region, but it will also shine a spotlight on the generosity of the local community. We at Gather are humbled by this opportunity, and look forward to packing every seat in the house."

For more information on Pack the House, to learn ways to help or to donate, visit: www.rochesteroperahouse.com/packthehouse, or call 603.948.1099.