BPP, Community Kitchen to band together against hunger

Most people know that the Bloomington Playwrights Project is a great place to find innovative theatre, but few realize how this organization benefits the community outside of the artistic sphere. \nOne of the many ways the BPP gives to the community is with the Acting Against Hunger Benefit in conjunction with the Community Kitchen of Monroe County. The Second Annual Acting Against Hunger Benefit will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the BPP office, 312 S. Washington St. The cost is $30 a person and because of limited seating, reservations must be made by Friday.\nThe evening will start with a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m. Then at 6:30 p.m. some of the finest cooks in Bloomington will be serving several versions of red beans and rice along with salad and bread. After the meal, actors from the BPP will be performing dramatic short play readings by BPP writers such as Abhi Kumar, Mike Smith and Doug Bedwell, all on the topic of hunger and homelessness. \nThe idea originated from Phil Casper, a BPP director and Community Kitchen employee. He said he decided to start this event to aid both organizations and form a partnership between the arts and social services. \n"Working at both the Kitchen and the Playwrights Project, I've seen the need for community support for non-profit agencies with very different missions," he said. "We hope to encourage the idea that Bloomington and Monroe County can have the generosity and the capacity to support the arts and social service needs." \nThe two groups share the proceeds equally, so as to benefit all of Monroe County, "one (organization) feeds the body of Monroe County, the other the soul," advertises the BPP. Last year the benefit raised nearly $1,000.\nAlso working in the collaboration is Community Kitchen Executive Director Julio Alonso. He said the arts have always been a great help to social services and this is not the first time the Community Kitchen has collaborated on such a project. \n"We have a very talented and generous arts community in Monroe County," he said. "In addition to supporting our annual silent art auction, area artists support the work of many other agencies, including the Hoosier Hills Food Bank through the Soup Bowl. We're also fortunate to partner with the John Waldron Arts Center to provide a weekly arts workshop for Community Kitchen patrons."\nThe BPP and the Community Kitchen said they hope to introduce supporters of each organization to the work and contributions of the other. \nBPP Development Director Sonja Johnson said artistic expression is a natural and effective way to draw attention to other community needs.\n"We hope this event will provide an opportunity to support both agencies and learn a little more about what they do," she said.\nReservations for the Acting Against Hunger Benefit can be made by calling either the BPP at 334-1188 or the Community Kitchen at 332-0999.