Staff report
The Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, a Carmel-based pre-professional ballet company, said it plans to donate $1 from each ticket sold during its upcoming performances of The Nutcracker to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
The dance company began working with Gleaners earlier this fall by hosting a canned food drive at their studio. In addition to this donation, over 60 ensemble dancers, parents and artistic staff recently volunteered at Gleaners as part of this volunteer outreach program.
Carmel High School senior Anna Hoeing said she found the experience extremely moving.
“Volunteering at Gleaners packing weekend ‘snack packs’ for children that otherwise would not receive food again until school on Monday truly opened my eyes and made me all the more appreciative of what I do have,” she said.
Suzann Delay, the ensemble’s artistic director, said she feels strongly about the mission and vision of Gleaners.
“We chose Gleaners because food is something we all take for granted. My family is a long-time supporter of the Gleaners Food Bank and I felt by having my company and academy involved we could help on a larger scale of giving back to the community,” Delay said. “When we support Gleaners we know our money stays in Indiana and we can directly help fight the growing problem of hunger in our community.”
“We are very grateful to the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble for donating $1 per ticket from their Nutcracker production, which will help fund our efforts to deliver more nutritious meals to children and families,” said Cindy Hubert, President and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “The line is getting longer and each dollar received will feed four hungry Hoosiers.”
Three of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir Regional County Choirs will also perform with the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble during each show.
The Nutcracker ● 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 ● Zionsville Performing Arts Center ● 1000 Mulberry St. in Zionsville ● Tickets are $30 ● For more information call 844-7453 or visit www.cidedance.org.
