Downtown Jazz Concert to Host “Food Drive Friday”

Food donations to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank

Winston-Salem, NC -- June 19, 2009 -- The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership will collaborate with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and 105.7 fm to raise awareness and food for Second Harvest Food Bank and its partner agencies in Northwest NC at the Downtown Jazz concert on June 26.  Concert attendees are asked to bring donations of non-perishable food to the concert. The first 100 food donors will be given coupons to downtown restaurants: Noma Urban Bar & Grill and Caffe Prada.

The Downtown Jazz series is its 12th season of providing nationally-acclaimed entertainment, free of charge to the community.  Jackiem Joyner will perform for the June 26 event.  Downtown Jazz is held outdoors each 2nd and 4th Friday evening in Corpening Plaza from 5:30pm until 8:30pm.  The series is produced by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership in collaboration with Post Entertainment LLC.  For the entire schedule of Downtown’s summer music concerts that include Alive After Five on Thursdays, and Summer On Trade on Saturdays, please visit www.dwsp.org/music.

Clyde Fitzgerald, executive director of the food bank, said the increased support is needed. “Our network of partner agencies tells us that the demand for food assistance from their clients is at an average 76% increase. And much of this startling increase is being driven by first time requestors.  These are people who previously had jobs but, through no fault of their own, have lost them.  They need help to stretch scarce resources and obtain food, medicine, housing and fuel to take care of their families.  And they need it now!”

Justin Gomez, Director of Marketing & Operations for the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership added,  “When we have the opportunity to partner with such a great agency, to give people that are coming downtown a chance to enjoy a great event and at the same time have the opportunity to help out those less fortunate in the community, that makes a great partnership.”