Help King Center 'STOMP' Out Hunger This Spring

While many people donate to food drives during the holiday season, hunger is a problem all year long. That's why the King Center for the Performing Arts is partnering with the touring percussion show STOMP to collect food items through the April 22 performances of STOMP at the King Center.

The producers of STOMP started STOMP Out Hunger in 2007 as a way to reduce hunger in North America. The campaign has brought attention to the heightened needs of food charities across the country year-round. Here's how it works: Anyone who donates a non-perishable food item at the King Center ticket office will receive $5 off one ticket to STOMP. All food collected through the April 22 show date will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which distributes food products to approximately 550 local nonprofit feeding programs throughout Central Florida.

"Second Harvest Food Bank of Brevard is grateful to partner with the King Center and STOMP Out Hunger to help those in need in Brevard County," said Greg Hansen, Second Harvest Brevard Branch Manager. "Last year over 5 million meals were distributed throughout the county. The hunger need is still very prevalent! Every donation helps."

"Any time we have an opportunity to give back to the local community, we want to participate," said Steve Janicki, King Center executive director. "STOMP is not only an amazing show to see, but also STOMP Out Hunger is a great cause."

Anyone wishing to donate food may visit the King Center ticket office, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, during hours of operation: noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The items the food bank is in most need of are meals in a can, pasta/macaroni, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, baby food, snack food, nutrition bars, and any and all non-perishables.

A metal garbage can on display in front of the King Center ticket office will serve as the food collection bin, as the metal garbage can is a signature item in the STOMP show that the cast commonly "plays" like an instrument. Donors need to show their food item at the ticket office window to receive their $5 off ticket discount. One discount is available per ticket, and is not valid on previously purchased tickets. The discount cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions.

The STOMP production at the King Center is sponsored by HARRIS.

STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique-an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments - matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps - to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulse-pounding, electrifying show. There will be a 3 p.m. and an 8 p.m. performance of STOMP on April 22 at the King Center.

SHFBCF is a member of Feeding America - the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 550 local nonprofit feeding programs throughout Central Florida. Last year, with the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributed 52 million meals to partner programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, senior centers, day care centers and Kids Cafes. In addition, Second Harvest's 14-week culinary program teaches foodservice-based technical, life and employability skills to economically hard-pressed adults. Our community turns to Second Harvest's partner agencies more than 71,000 times per week.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting kingcenter.com or by calling the King Center Ticket Office at 321.242.2219. Ticket office hours are Monday - Friday, Noon - 6pm & Sat, Noon - 4pm.