Lyric Theatre Patrons Donate Thousands to Feed Hungry Oklahomans

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma patrons donated more than $20,000 in December to help feed thousands of hungry Oklahomans.

Following each performance of LYRIC'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, presented by Devon Energy, audiences were invited to contribute to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. This marks the sixth year Lyric patrons have donated to the food bank during the holiday production, with collections now totaling nearly $120,000.

"This production demonstrates the importance of helping those in need, appreciating the love of family and showing compassion for others," said Michael Baron, Lyric's producing artistic director. "I'm truly thankful for the generous spirit of our audiences for making this holiday season a better one for those Oklahomans who needlessly face hunger every day."

Local corporate partners, APMEX.com, the Cresap Family Foundation and Chesapeake Energy, matched the donations this year dollar-for-dollar.

"We want to thank Lyric and its patrons for raising $20,722 this year to fight hunger in Oklahoma," said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. "This donation will provide 103,610 meals for our neighbors who otherwise would go without. Thank you."

The winter months are especially hard on Oklahomans struggling to make ends meet. According to the Hunger in Oklahoma Report, 72 percent of clients have had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities. Each dollar donated to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma provides five meals to Oklahomans with inconsistent access to food.

The Regional Food Bank is the state's largest private hunger-relief organization, providing enough food to feed more than 126,000 hungry Oklahomans every week through a network of more than 1,300 charitable feeding programs and schools in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. Last fiscal year, the nonprofit distributed 52 million pounds of food and products. The organization is also seeking volunteers to assist with pantry distribution. For more information, visit RegionalFoodBank.org.

Founded in 1963, Lyric is Oklahoma's leading professional theatre company. For more than 50 years, Lyric has produced classic and contemporary musicals and plays featuring both nationally known Broadway stars and local favorites. Lyric produces four large-scale, fully orchestrated musicals at the Civic Center Music Hall each summer, as well as works at the Plaza Theatre during the spring, fall and winter. Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy is a professional training ground for students ages 5-18, offering classes in all aspects of musical theatre. Academy students have the opportunity to perform in two full-scale productions each year on the Plaza Theatre stage. Lyric is a member agency of Allied Arts. For more information, visit LyricTheatreOKC.com.

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