
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 22, 1994                   TAG: 9409240022
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CONCERT-GOERS ASKED TO BRING FOOD ITEMS

People attending tonight's Alan Jackson concert and Clint Black's Sept. 29 performance are being asked to bring donations of canned or dry goods. It's part of the Mama's Hungry Eyes project, an effort by 16 top country artists to pay tribute to a major country music figure while raising funds, food donations and awareness for the plight of America's hungry.

The artists recorded a CD of Merle Haggard songs. The bulk of proceeds from CD sales will be donated to food banks in areas where these artists hold concerts. The CD will go on sale Oct. 11.

In addition, food drives are being held at each concert. In the Roanoke area, donated goods will be given to the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest FoodBank.

The food bank operates like a giant grocery store for its nonprofit member agencies - homeless shelters, halfway houses, soup kitchens and food pantries. This year, its food supplies - despite a growing number of community food drives - have dwindled.

"Most of the food we're short on are canned and staple foods," said Mike Hepler, special events coordinator for the food bank. "All of the agencies are asking when the next food drive is."

Alan Jackson performs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. The Clint Black concert is Sept. 29 at the Roanoke Civic Center at 8 p.m.

by CNB