News

YSPB Sharing Saturday Food Drive-Thru a Huge Success

P. Zaros, YSPB
Sharing Saturday, a drive through food drive event by Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, restocks CROS Ministries Belle Glade Food Pantry.
On November 14th every conductor, accompanist, and staff member of Young Singers of the Palm Beaches gathered in the valet drop-off circle of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with excited anticipation of seeing their singers, families and alumni in person again. Donning matching "Many Voice One Song" t-shirts and masks, the team awaited the first car.

"It's been so long since we've seen everyone, I mean actually seen, not over-the-computer Zoom-seen our families," said Managing Director Melanee Blankstein. "We really miss the interaction in person, and not being able to have concerts on stage has really saddened all of us."

The drive through event served a multi-purpose. While YSPB families were able to see and interact in masks through car windows with the conductors and staff, the bigger purpose of the event was to collect non-perishable food to replenish the Belle Glade Food Pantry. Run by CROS Ministries, the food pantry is housed at Community United Methodist Church of Belle Glade, a church that has a special connection with Young Singers. For over seven (7) years the Young Singers' Choir in the Glades has rehearsed and performed out of the church's facilities, including two summers of arts camp. Being able to touch the Belle Glade community in another positive way means a lot to the YSPB organization.

The day was an unbelievable success! Over 10,339 pounds of food were collected and $2,600 in cash donations. In attendance at the event, Carol Schmidt, the Choir in the Glades resident conductor, was crying tears of joy, "I am absolutely blown away by the generosity of the students and parents who reached out to the people affected by the pandemic and the recent flooding in the Glades. My Choir in the Glades families and many others will certainly be blessed by the kindness of the YSPB family."

YSPB thanks everyone who came out to donate, and would like to call special attention to these particular huge donors... the Rincon Family from Supermercados El Bodegon, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, General Plumbing, Entrusted Restoration, Glen Zaros/Champion Solutions Group, and our dear Choir in the Glades long-time supporter, Victoria McCullough.
Back