23 November 2010

Movie-goers across New Zealand deserve rave reviews after swapping almost 25% more cans of food for movie tickets than last year, making this month’s Wattie’s Cans Film Festival one of the most successful in recent years!

All cans donated will go to The Salvation Army and with Wattie’s generously matching these donations can for can, The Sallies’ food banks are now more than 45,000 cans better off – just in time for the Christmas season when more New Zealanders are in need of a helping hand.

Festival-goers were treated to blockbuster movies at Event Cinemas, Reading Cinemas, and Hoyts Cinemas along with independent cinemas, all of whom donated their movie theatres, film screenings and staff time free of charge for the evening.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Robbie Ross says the event was once again a fantastic success and many people generously brought more than they needed to.

“The Salvation Army is humbled by the generosity of so many New Zealanders. These donations are vital for stocking up our food banks before the Christmas period, where we are anticipating another spike in demand.

“More and more families are turning to The Salvation Army for support and these donations will ensure help can be given to those in need during this busy and stressful time. The donations from Wattie’s are over and above the thousands of dollars worth of products that Wattie’s donated immediately following the Canterbury Earthquake and we’re extremely grateful for their support,” says Major Ross.

This year’s total is one of the largest of the decade and brings the grand total ever closer to the 1 million mark - 985,000 cans have been collected over the 17 years the Festival has run.

Top can-collecting cinemas were Event Cinemas Centre Place in Hamilton and Reading Palms in Christchurch.

Kiwi staples Wattie’s Baked Beans and Spaghetti were once again the most popular donations and Wattie’s canned fruit was also a favourite on the night.

ENDS

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