Your efforts during the Orchestras Feeding America Food Drive event helped contribute to the ASO’s donation of over 1300 lbs of food to the Atlanta Community Food Bank! These efforts raised awareness about artists and musicians with mental illness, and were held nationwide in advance of the movie release of The Soloist.

On Friday, April 24th, The Soloist will premiere in theatres across the country. This film, a true story, is based on a series of Los Angeles Times columns by reporter Steve Lopez (played by Robert Downey Jr.) about a gifted homeless classically trained musician Nathaniel Ayers (played by Jamie Foxx) with schizophrenia who dreams of playing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The film is meant to share the wonderful story about a lost dream, an unlikely friendship, and the redemptive power of music.

Visit your local theatre for show times.
Page updated on 4/16/09

The ASO is proud to have taken part in Orchestras Feeding America. Inspired by the upcoming film The Soloist, the League of American Orchestras, Feeding America (the nation’s largest hunger relief organization), and Participant Media have joined forces to organize a large-scale national food drive. Over 200 orchestras in all 50 states have already signed on to participate in this unprecedented effort by collecting and donating food to local food assistance agencies.

Locally, the ASO has partnered with the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation and the Fulton County Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases to raise awareness about mental illness and drive food collection efforts for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Food collection bins will be provided from Thursday, March 26 through Tuesday, March 31, at the Woodruff Arts Center campus, libraries, art centers, and clinics across Fulton County that service Atlanta’s mentally ill. Also, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation’s Artist-in-Resident Jerome Lawrence will have his works displayed at Gallery 100 at the Woodruff Arts Center during the food drive.

Based on a true story, The Soloist is a testament to the redemptive power of music and a reminder of our connections to the most vulnerable among us. Music has the power to life spirits and change lives, and this collective effort is a way to make an even greater difference in our community – to feed both body and soul.

Your contributions made a difference!

» Read the Press Release
» Food Drive Photo Album

Woodruff Arts Center
1280 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30309

Fulton County Government Center
141 Pryor Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

South Fulton Mental Health Center
1636 Connally Drive
East Point, GA 30344

South Central Mental Health Center
215 Lakewood Way, SW – Suite 205
Atlanta, GA 30315

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
Central Library
One Margaret Mitchell Square
Atlanta, GA 30303

West Mental Health Center
475 Fairburn Road, SW
Atlanta, GA 30331

Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch
9560 Spruill Road
Johns Creek, GA 30022

Southwest Branch
2665 Cascade Road
Atlanta, GA 30315

Abernathy Arts Center
254 Johnson Ferry Road, NW
Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Southwest Arts Center
915 New Hope Road
Atlanta, GA 30331

South Fulton Service Center
5600 Stonewall Tell
College Park, GA 30349

North Fulton Service Center
7741 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30336

Browns Mill Golf Course
480 Cleveland Avenue, SE
Atlanta, GA 30354

Golfers who bring 10 can goods (not expired) on Friday, March 27^th, Will receive one bucket of range balls and one “2 for 1” Greens Fee Coupon

Alfred “TUP” Holmes Golf Course
2300 Wilson Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30311

Golfers who bring 10 can goods (not expired) on Sunday, March 29^th starting at 12 noon, Will be able to play for the cost of cart fees only!