Norwich Theatre audiences replicated the Come From Away spirit and donated 1.3 tonnes of food in 101 crates across the fortnight run of the smash hit musical at Norwich Theatre Royal. Using The Trussell Trust calculations, this would be enough to provide for approximately 150 food parcels for 3 days or £3200 worth of donations.
Come From Away was the season finale of Norwich Theatre’s Creative Matters: Kindness through Creativity. The season has explored how creativity and the arts can inspire change, tell unheard stories, build compassion and create a fairer and kinder society. Audiences have enjoyed a series of shows, take-part activities, film screenings, half term take part workshops and art installations.
In reflection of the Creative Matters season and Come From Away and its real-life story of compassion, community, and resilience, Norwich Theatre asked its theatregoers to donate non-perishable food items to its two donation points during the 15 performances of Come From Away.
James MacDonald, Head of Visitor Services at Norwich Theatre said: “Creative Matters: Kindness through creativity was all about using creativity to generate a movement of kindness. This foodbank collection was the embodiment of how one creative action can spark hundreds of little actions of kindness.
“Theatre brings people together, and our theatre audience rallied together and achieved a fantastic total for Norwich Foodbank. It has been so heartwarming to see our audience come together like the characters in the show with generosity and kindness, and we want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone that donated.”
Norwich Foodbank supports local individuals and families who find themselves on the edge of disaster by providing emergency food supplies. These supplies take the form of nutritionally balanced emergency foodboxes to cover an individual or family’s basic needs for 72 hours: the critical time gap before other support services kick in.
Project Manager for Norwich foodbank, Hannah Worsley, said: “We have been blown away by the generosity of physical donations and of the kindness of so many who came to the theatre recently. The spirit of giving comes through so clearly during Come From Away and it was the perfect opportunity to work with Norwich Theatre and we’re delighted that audience members agree!
“We hope to be able to do this again with upcoming performances, providing an opportunity for our community to help those in need within our foodbanks area. Thank you to those who gave time, food, toiletries, money and encouragement!”
If you are interested in supporting Norwich Foodbank or finding out more about what they do, visit their website, norwich.foodbank.org.uk and follow them on social media to stay up to date with news and items needed.