Over 50,000 cans to help Kiwis in need this Christmas

Media Release

27 November 2014

Over 50,000 cans to help Kiwis in need this Christmas

Wattie’s and The Salvation Army are thrilled with the result. The best yet in 21 years! Movie goers throughout the country donated a total of 21,152 cans to The Salvation Army this year as part of the 21st Annual Wattie’s Cans Film Festival.

Over 20,000 people attended participating cinemas nationwide on Wednesday November 12, swapping a can for a movie ticket. All cans donated help The Salvation Army stock up their food banks to assist New Zealanders in need over the incredibly busy Christmas period.

Alongside the Festival, Countdown Supermarkets supported The Salvation Army by collecting cans from shoppers who couldn’t attend a cinema but wanted to donate.

Each year Wattie’s generously matches the donations with cans of its own, bringing the total to 52,400 cans.

“The cans collected from the Wattie’s Cans Film Festival are vital to replenish our food bank stocks in advance of the Christmas pressure for food parcels which last year were distributed to 17,000 families,” says Major Pamela Waugh, The Salvation Army’s Secretary for Social Services.

“We want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Wattie’s Cans Film Festival and donated generously to our food banks.”

Movie fans were treated to family blockbuster movies at over 40 locations across the country. Special thanks to EVENT Cinemas, Reading, Hoyts, and independent cinemas nationwide who again donated use of their theatres to the Festival.

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