Thespians battle hunger

WASILLA — For a second year, students in Valley Performing Arts’ Summer Theatre Arts Program collected non-perishable food items and presented three full barrels of food to the Mat-Su Food Bank June 24.

Food bank Executive Director Eddie Ezelle and board member Stan Mitchell gladly accepted the donation.

The community theater program collects food to donate to the food bank during its regular season, but began incorporating giving into its summer youth program last year.

VPA Executive Director Garry Forrester said similar food donation drives also are planned as part of the remaining two sessions.

“The young people and their parents are very enthusiastic about supporting the food bank and we’re fortunate that we can help facilitate the giving process,” he said.