Ruth Eckerd Hall announced that they have agreed to partner with The Salvation Army to host three upcoming food distributions, allowing the organization to serve twice as many families during each event due to the performing arts center’s property size. While The Salvation Army continues to conduct free drive-through food distribution events at its Social Services campus in Clearwater, the property can only accommodate so many vehicles at a time due to limited parking lot
The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest social services organization with more than 7,600 service locations across the country, is increasing efforts to meet requests for food. With unemployment at an all- time high, and money from stimulus checks decreasing, more families continue to need food.
“Ruth Eckerd Hall is a natural partner for The Salvation Army” said Major Ted Morris, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of Clearwater, and Upper Pinellas County. “Our School of Music staff have attended their Lunch and Learns and are working to find ways to provide our students with an opportunity to take their performing arts experience to the next level. Ruth Eckerd’s programs for children are a blessing for our students as they would not have the chance to be involved in such high caliber programming.”
We’re honored to support our friends at the Salvation Army in their effort to get food to families needing help,” said Susan M Crocket Ruth Eckerd Hall President & CEO. “We are a community in need and by combining our resources, we’re able to serve more.”
The Salvation Army, in partnership with Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater Police Department, will hold drive-through food distribution events at 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, on June 12, June 19, and June 26 at 10 am until all items have been distributed. To comply with CDC guidelines, recipients must be in a vehicle and stay in their vehicles during the distribution. Food boxes will contain milk, cheese, chicken, and other fresh produce as well as shelf-stable food.
The Salvation Army in Clearwater and Upper Pinellas needs support to be able to continue to provide needed services throughout this pandemic. To learn more and support The Salvation Army’s efforts visit SalvationArmyClearwater.org.
Feature photo of Rick Crean, a Ruth Eckerd Hall volunteer is pictured loading a vehicle with food donated by The Salvation Army to one of the 500 families that were served on Friday June 12 during their first drive.
About Ruth Eckerd Hall:
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that manages and operates the City of Clearwater-owned 2,200-seat Ruth Eckerd Hall, the 200-seat Murray Theatre, the 250-capacity ballroom, the Margarete Heye Great Room, the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts, the 750-seat Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre and Ruth Eckerd Hall On The Road. For the first time in the history of the performing arts center, Ruth Eckerd Hall was awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Tampa Bay Times. In the most competitive category of small businesses (50 – 149 employees), Ruth Eckerd Hall was ranked #39 and was the only entertainment venue to make the list. Our mission is: Changing lives through the performing arts.
Ruth Eckerd Hall was named #1 venue in Tampa, #3 in Florida, #7 in the United States and #9 in the world of theatre venues of 2,500 seats or less by industry trade publication Pollstar in 2019. Designed by the prestigious Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Ruth Eckerd Hall is known for its fantastic sightlines and near-perfect acoustics. As part of the Expanding the Experience, Ruth Eckerd Hall recently completed an $11 million renovation, which includes a stunning three story floor to ceiling windows surrounding the new 6,000 square foot Grand Lobby, home to the Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton Cabaret Theatre and the Holt Family Stage. The members-only Hoffman Family Dress Circle Lounge has doubled in size, giving members a spectacular view and additional comfort, adjacent to the new Grand Lobby. In addition, patrons can enjoy enhanced food and beverage service, stunning décor including additional seating, custom acoustical and lighting features and a 34-foot, 5-inch wide x 6-foot, 5-inch tall video wall.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood