The Readers’ Theater of Camden County College will perform an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath as a fundraiser for the Collingswood Food Pantry (for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church) on March 7 at Collingswood Presbyterian Church (30 Fern Ave) at 3 p.m. Ther reading is free and donations of non-perishable food will be collected. In addition, a silent auction of donated items and services will be held. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Pantry.

The Readers’ Theatre Project is designed to “give voice” to American writers in the classic format of Readers’ Theatre. This performance style has historically been recognized as a means to heighten the listener’s experience of literature. The Grapes of Wrath is a landmark of American Literature. It is the story of the timeless battle between the powerful and the powerless. It is an American story of courage and humanity as seen through the lives of its most humble. The Grapes of Wrath: A Readers’ Theatre Project, is performed by a group of seven artists, two of whom take the narrative voice, while the other five play both the characters of the nucleus of the Joad family and take on the voices, in Greek chorus style, of the displaced and disrespected people of the American soil. The adaptation is rich in the gritty music of the Oklahoma dialect, the lyricism and grace of the American English narrative voice and the inexpressible sweetness of the rhythms of American folk music of the 1930s.

Churches, groups and local organizations can aid in the effort by collecting non-perishable foods, contributing to the silent auction, making cash donations, donating items to the event buffet, including breads, dips and spreads and promoting the event within their organization.

For more information on getting involved or attending, please contact Collingswood Presbyterian at 856-854-4523 or email Lorrie Heuser at heuser@verizon.net.