Over 36,000 cans donated during Cans Film Festival

4 November 2009
MEDIA RELEASE

Yes, we can!

Over 36,000 cans of food donated during Wattie’s Cans Film Festival

New Zealanders love of the movies will make this year’s Christmas that much happier for some 9500 Kiwi families.

The recently held Wattie’s Cans Film Festival resulted in more than 36,000 cans of food being donated to The Salvation Army in exchange for free tickets to movies screened by SKYCITY Cinemas, Hoyts, Reading Cinemas, and independent cinemas throughout the country.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Jeff Winterburn says the event was a great success.

“The Salvation Army is absolutely delighted with the continuing generosity of New Zealander’s, and we have received far more cans than we ever envisaged in this tight economic climate.

“It is a great boost to our food stocks and, along with the other support we receive from the public, will ensure that once again The Salvation Army is able to make Christmas a little easier for those in need,” says Major Winterburn.

18,131 cans of food were exchanged for a fantastic night out at the movies showing that despite tough economic times, people still care enough to look out for one another.

This is the 16th year that Wattie’s has supported the event, and matched each one of the donated cans with one of their own.

Piled end on end, this year’s total would tower above Aoraki Mt Cook by 206 meters.

Top can-collecting cinemas were SKYCITY Cinemas Queensgate for the North Island and Hoyts Moorhouse in the South Island.

Wattie’s General Manager of Marketing, Mike Pretty, says it's great to see how strong the Wattie’s Cans Film Festival is going after all these years.

"We love it every year and it's a great chance for us to give families a fun night out at the movies and at the same time, do our bit for those who need help."

Wattie’s Baked Beans and Spaghetti were once again the Kiwi classic that people donated the most.

ENDS

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