Utah Shakespeare Festival to Host 10th Annual Fall Food Drive, Begin. 9/6

On September 6, the 10th annual fall food drive will kick off at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Last year the Festival was able to donate over 6,700 pounds of food to the Iron County Care and Share, which accounted for almost 20 percent of the total community food donations received during the months of September and October.

Local residents can participate by donating six items of nonperishable food per individual on the day of the performance directly to the Festival and receive a half price ticket to any Tuesday through Thursday performance. This offer is also valid to Peter and the Starcatcher on Friday and Saturday on September 6, 7, 13 and 14. Food donation barrels will be located in the Randall L. Jones Theatre lobby next to the ticket window.

"The food drive for the Iron County Care and Share is a great cause that brings awareness to the hunger problems we have here in southern Utah, " said Sara Greener, Festival guest services manager. "Guests of the Festival enjoy participating and often come back to the theatre just to drop off food regardless of the discount we offer."

Residents of Iron, Washington, Kane, Garfield, Sevier, Piute, and Beaver counties in Utah are eligible for the discount, as well as patrons from Lincoln County, Nevada. All residents should bring proof of residency and six non-perishable food items for each discounted ticket they wish to purchase. This offer is good Tuesday through Thursday on the day of the performance only. There is a limit of four discounted tickets per resident I.D.

"Iron County Care and Share provides hunger relief for several thousand adults and children in need each year, an effort that is made possible by the many generous donations of food we receive from the community," said Joy Jankowiak, executive director of the Iron County Care and Share. "We are excited and honored to partner with the Utah Shakespeare Festival once again this year and look forward to another very successful Fall Food Drive."

Tickets for the Festival's 2013 season, which will run until October 19, are now on sale. The fall season includes Peter and the Starcatcher and The Marvelous Wonderettes, as well as Shakespeare's Richard II. For more information and tickets visit www.bard.org or call 1-800-PLAYTIX.

The Iron County Care and Share was founded in 1984 by a group of local churches of different denominations to address the issue of hunger in our community. Working with partners in the community, neighboring counties, and in the state, the Iron County Care and Share is able to help homeless and low-income individuals and families work toward self-sufficiency. The Iron County Care and Share is located at 900 North 222 West Cedar City, Utah.