THE BALLOON MAN

Get free circus tickets by supporting food bank

 

Elephants, of course, are the big stars of the show.

 (Ringling Bros./Barnum and Bailey / November 13, 2012)
by Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Arts Writer
from: orlandosentinel.com
November 13, 2012
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is again collecting food to help stock Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFBCF)'s pantry shelves. During this difficult economy and as the holidays approach, the agency's need for food donations continues to increase.

For one day only, Thursday, November 15 between 7-9 a.m., Ringling Bros. is again offering Central Florida consumers the opportunity to support their community and donate non-perishable, unexpired food items in exchange for ticket vouchers to Built To "Amaze!," the all-new 143rd edition of "The Greatest Show On Earth."

A donation of 10 food items entitles each consumer to one ticket voucher, with a limit of four vouchers (40 food items donated) per household. Vouchers can be redeemed at the Amway Center box office for the Thursday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. opening-night performance. Ticket vouchers are available to those who donate on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Free ticket vouchers apply to opening night, promenade level only.

Ringling Bros. and SHFBCF are making it easy to donate with drive-through service. No need to find a parking space or carry heavy grocery bags – consumers can even stay in their PJ's. Drive to the Blue Lot at the Amway Center (located off Hughey Ave, parallel to I-4, just past Hughey and Church), stay in your car, and volunteers will exchange ticket vouchers for donations, right through car windows.

Consumers will need to return to the Amway Center box office between Nov. 16 (when tickets go on sale to the general public) and Jan. 12 to redeem their vouchers for tickets. The Amway Center box office is located on Church Street. Short-term (15 minutes) parking is available in front of the box office on Church Street, except during events. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and three hours prior to any event.

Ringling Bros. has raised more than 10,000 pounds of food for SHFBCF since 2009, and hundreds of Central Floridians have participated.

"This format works very well for us to collect a significant amount of donations in just two hours," said Sasha Hausman, development manager for SHFBCF. "We are again encouraging members of our community to participate, and grateful to Feld Entertainment for their partnership."

SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 500 agencies that feed the hungry throughout Central Florida. SHFBCF accepts nonperishable food donations including boxed cereal, stuffing, canned meat, fruit, cranberry sauce, gravy and vegetables. The agency's most needed items include nonfat dry milk, peanut butter, baby food, and canned tuna, meat, vegetables and fruit.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will present "Built To Amaze!" at the Amway Center Jan. 10-13. Tickets for Thursday and Friday performances are: $85 (Circus Celebrity), $65 (Front Row), $35 (VIP), $27, $22 and $15. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday performances are: $100 (Circus Celebrity), $70 (Front Row), $40 (VIP), $27, $22 and $15. Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees not included. All seats are reserved, and tickets go on sale November 16 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are available at http://www.ringling.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 1-800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone: 407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740.
read more:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/shopping/os-ringling-food-drive-20121113,0,5744260.story