The DuPage Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is hosting a food & toiletries drive for Loaves & Fishes in conjunction with its December 11 & 12 "Sugarplums and Song" holiday concert.

When Manager, Donna Konstantinidis, of Tasso's Greek Cuisine in downtown Naperville, an ongoing supporter of DSO performances and events, heard about the drive, she wanted to get the restaurant involved as well.

To develop awareness of both Loaves & Fishes and the DSO food drive, plus raise funds for the food pantry, Tasso's Greek Cuisine is offering diners the opportunity to support Loaves & Fishes by donating all or a portion of their coupon discounts from November 15th through December 15th. The ultimate goal is for many Naperville retailers and restaurants to join this promotion, offering their shoppers & diners the same opportunity to "Donate Your Discount" as Tasso's is providing.

Patricia Fragen is a DSO board member and musician, as well as a small business consultant based in Naperville.

"This is a all-round win situation," she explains. "Businesses are not being asked to give anything they haven't already agreed to give and shoppers have the opportunity to take savings that might not amount to much more than a café-style coffee in their world and allow Loaves & Fishes to turn it into a much-needed meal for a local family hurt by the current economy."

As a former board member for a different Chicago area food pantry, Fragen recognizes the amazing work done by Loaves & Fishes for the entire DuPage community and encourages community-wide participation in this service project.

Restaurateurs and shop owners interested in participating can contact Jody Bender, Community Relations Manager at Loaves & Fishes, at 630.355.3663 to receive recognition on the Loaves & Fishes website along with a packet of promotional materials and procedures to simplify introducing the program to staff and patrons.

Any business offering to match funds with their patrons will receive a hot-link from the Loaves & Fishes website. Business owners and managers with questions about this community-wide service project should contact Patricia Fragen at 847.308.8120.

Community members interested in showing their support by shopping at stores participating in this project should visit the Loaves & Fishes website at www.loaves-fishes.org. This is also a great place to learn just what minimal dollar donations can combine to do for our community. Shoppers & diners are encouraged to mention their support of the project an every establishment, whether or not they are using a coupon or choosing to participate. Cash donations can also be made at participating businesses.

For more information about the DuPage Symphony Orchestra and their involvement in the community, visit www.dupagesymphony.org or call the business office at 630.778.1003. Tickets for the December holiday concerts at which the food and toiletries drive takes place for Loaves & Fishes can be purchased at http://tickets.noctrl.edu or by calling the box office at 630.637.SHOW. Tasso's Greek Cuisine has menu listings and additional information at http://tassosgreekcuisine.com/. Further information about Loaves & Fishes can be accessed at www.loaves-fishes.org.