THE BOSS' ORDERS; SPRINGSTEEN RAISES FUNDS FOR CHARITY.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

When the Boss tells his fans to do something, they do it.

Bruce Springsteen's pitch for the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, over two nights of concerts Sunday and Monday, inspired fans to contribute $8,500 at booths set up at the Staples Center shows, Foodbank officials said. Springsteen dedicated a song to the nonprofit organization, urged the audience to donate and they came through.

``One fan told me, `If the Boss tells you to do it, then you gotta do it,' '' said Cheryl Cercado, a spokeswoman for the Foodbank who collected donations at Staples Center Monday night.

Fans lined up after the event to drop bills into Foodbank tins, she said. ``It was cute. I think it's great that he has that kind of effect on his fans.''

The money will be distributed across Los Angeles, including 70 charities in the San Fernando Valley.

In addition to the promotion at the concerts, Springsteen's management company also donated three pairs of tickets to the Foodbank, which were auctioned off at an event Oct. 15 at the Santa Monica Pier.

The money raised from the Boss' concerts will go to a Foodbank operating fund account to offset the cost of distributing the food to the hungry.

The Foodbank is a 26-year-old private, nonprofit group that provides food for more than 940 charities serving 270,000 people a week. Last year, the Foodbank distributed nearly 33 million pounds of food.

For information on donating to the Foodbank, call [phone], Ext. 139. Donations can be sent to the Foodbank at 1734 E. 41st St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90058.

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Photo

Photo: Bruce Springsteen at the Staples Center.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer