Ruth Eckerd Hall Partners With HEP To Host Non-Perishable Food Drive Beginning Tuesday, November 4

During this holiday season Ruth Eckerd Hall is proud to once again join HEP, the Homeless Empowerment Program, to help collect food for homeless individuals and families in Pinellas County.  The public is invited to help too.

Beginning Tuesday, November 4 through Tuesday, December 30, when attending any performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre the public may bring non-perishable food to donate to one of the HEP containers conveniently located in the lobby of each theatre.  The public may also donate non-perishable food at Ruth Eckerd Hall during business hours.

“It is our great privilege to stand with our partners at HEP to see that the holidays are a bit brighter for those most in need in our community,” said Sharon Reid-Kane, Ruth Eckerd Hall Ed. D., VP & Chief Education & Community Engagement Officer.

“The need for food donations is more pressing than ever, especially with the anticipated ending of SNAP benefits, which will impact thousands of households throughout our community,” said Ashley Lowery, HEP President & CEO. “Every donation, no matter the size, truly makes a difference.”

The Ruth Eckerd Hall Administrative Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.  The Raymond James Central Ticket Office at Ruth Eckerd Hall is open Tuesday through Thursday, from noon to 6 pm; Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from noon to 6 pm. 

For more information, please visit www.RuthEckerdHall.com.

Each year HEP serves approximately 40,000 meals in their state-of-the-art dining hall.  The food service staff is always in need of all kinds of food items including canned fruits and vegetables, canned tomato sauce, dry pasta and rice, cereal, oatmeal, condiments and more.

HEP is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.  Since 1986, their Mission has been to provide homeless and low-income families and individuals, including Veterans, with housing, food, clothing, and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.  Their goal is to break the cycle of homelessness for any individual or family in need of assistance.

For more information on HEP, please visit: www.hepempowers.org/about/.

For more information on the food drive, please visit: https://www.rutheckerdhall.com/education-community/community-programs