The Hawai'i Youth Symphony yesterday collected more than 1,300 donated food items for the Hawai'i Food Bank at the University of Hawai'i Music Department courtyard on the Manoa campus.

The Youth Symphony held an open rehearsal so people bringing food could also watch rehearsal performances by several different ensembles.

The effort was part of Orchestras Feeding America, the first national food drive by America's symphony orchestras, said Youth Symphony executive director Selena Ching. She said that more than 450 musicians, staff members and volunteers participated in the local effort.

"With more and more people losing their jobs, it's the right thing to do," Ching said.

Orchestras feeding America, which involved more than 200 symphonies from all 50 states, was organized by the League of American Orchestras.

The Hawai'i Food Bank says it helps more than 132,000 people every year, 33,000 of them children.