Millionth can milestone reached at the Wattie's Cans Film Festival

This year, with the help of movie goers all around the country, the Wattie’s Cans Food Festival has reached a significant milestone by donating the millionth can to The Salvation Army.

On 9 November, New Zealanders flocked to their local movie theatres to swap a can for a movie ticket. Wattie’s then matched this donation with one of their own cans. The Festival, now in its 18th year, provides essential support for The Salvation Army, stocking up their food banks and assisting The Sallies to help those in need around New Zealand.

This year has been a difficult one for the whole of New Zealand. One year on from the first of the devastating earthquakes in Christchurch, the cost of living has reached new heights. Never has there been a greater need to help The Salvation Army lend a hand to our fellow New Zealanders.

“This financial year alone we have helped more than 140,000* people around New Zealand. 39,769* families have received food assistance through our centres, which is an increase of over 39%” says Salvation Army spokesman Major Robbie Ross. “We are grateful to have the support of events like The Wattie’s Cans Film Festival to help us fill up our food banks.”

Movie fans were treated to family blockbuster movies generously donated by EVENT Cinemas, Hoyts Cinemas, Reading Cinemas and independent cinemas, at over 40 locations across the country.



* Figures are for the year ended 30 June 2011