Orlando Theatres Team Up for Holiday Food Drive
Three prominent Central Florida arts organizations – Orlando Family Stage, Orlando Shakes, and Winter Park Playhouse – are once again partnering for the return of the Conway Cares Holiday Food Drive. This vital initiative aims to address the growing local need for weekend food support among students in the Orlando area.
The Heart Behind Conway Cares
The Conway Cares program was founded in 2011 by Orlando Family Stage Artistic Director Jeff Revels. He recognized that many local students faced hunger during the weekend gap between Friday lunch and Monday breakfast. Starting with a partnership with a nearby Conway-area school, the program has grown significantly over fourteen years.
Through collaborations with neighborhood schools and Servant’s Heart Center, Conway Cares now serves up to 150 students weekly at peak times. Revels emphasizes the powerful role of the arts community in tangible support, stating, “Year after year, our audiences have helped care for families in our neighborhoods. Their steady generosity is the reason this program has fed so many children, and why it continues to matter so much.”
Local Theatres Unite for a Cause
This holiday season, the three beloved Orlando theatres are making it easier than ever for the community to contribute. Donation drop-off locations will be available at Orlando Family Stage and Orlando Shakes throughout the holiday period. Winter Park Playhouse will also join the effort, collecting donations while performing its holiday programming at Orlando Shakes due to their ongoing venue renovations.
| Participating Theatre | Primary Drop-off Location | Learn More & Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando Family Stage | 1001 E. Princeton Street | orlandofamilystage.com |
| Orlando Shakes | 812 E. Rollins Street | orlandoshakes.org |
| Winter Park Playhouse | (Donations at Orlando Shakes) | winterparkplayhouse.org |
What to Donate
The drive focuses on collecting shelf-stable food items that are easy for students to take home and prepare. Your contributions directly impact local children. Highly requested items include:
- Granola bars
- Fruit cups
- Juice boxes
- Peanut-butter crackers
- Pasta dishes (e.g., canned ravioli)
- Canned vegetables
Donations can be brought to any holiday performances at the participating theaters or dropped off during their regular operating hours. Theatre leaders noted in a joint statement, “Whether you are a grandparent who loves supporting local kids or a parent who understands the pressures families face, this drive offers a way to give back. It is one of the simplest ways to make a direct impact.” Collections will continue throughout the holiday season to ensure ongoing student support, especially during school breaks.
Enjoy Holiday Shows While Giving Back
Consider combining your act of generosity with a festive theatre experience. Here’s a look at some of the holiday programming from the participating theatres:
Orlando Shakes
- A Christmas Carol: Runs November 26–December 28, 2025. A classic retelling of Dickens’s beloved story.
- The Nat Before Christmas: December 8–9, 2025. Nat Zegree performs an evening of Christmas selections and original material.
Winter Park Playhouse
- Honky Tonk Angels: Holiday Hoedown: Now playing through December 20, 2025. A Nashville-themed holiday musical.
- Spotlight Cabaret Series Featuring Carol Stein: December 10–11, 2025, at 7:30pm. An evening of cabaret and storytelling.
- Sinatra and Friends: December 16, 2025, at 7:30pm. A one-night program of Sinatra classics performed by Mark Raisch and The Martinis.
Orlando Family Stage
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage: Now playing through December 23, 2025. A stage adaptation of the Peanuts special.
- Wizard of Oz (Youth Academy Production): Runs December 5–7, 2025. A youth production of the classic story.
- Story Stroll: Snoopy’s Winter Adventure: Select mornings in December 2025. An outdoor interactive program for young children.
- Baby & Me: Woodstock’s Jingle Jam: Select mornings in December 2025. A sensory-based holiday program for infants and caregivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Conway Cares Holiday Food Drive?
It’s an initiative by local Orlando theatres to collect shelf-stable food items for students experiencing weekend hunger. - Which organizations are involved?
Orlando Family Stage, Orlando Shakes, and Winter Park Playhouse are partnering for this drive. - Where can I drop off donations?
Donations can be dropped off at Orlando Family Stage (1001 E. Princeton Street) and Orlando Shakes (812 E. Rollins Street). - What items are most needed?
Shelf-stable items like granola bars, fruit cups, juice boxes, peanut-butter crackers, canned pasta, and canned vegetables are highly appreciated. - How long will the food drive continue?
Collections will run throughout the entire holiday season to support students during school breaks.
Your contribution, no matter how small, makes a direct and meaningful difference in ensuring local students have access to food during the weekends and school holidays.
Orlando Theatres Team Up for Holiday Food Drive
