More than 1,000 cans donated to food banks thanks to cinemagoers
STAFF ‘OVERWHELMED’ WITH THE RESPONSE
MORE than 1,000 cans were collected for local food banks at cinemas which gave a free screening of Disney’s Encanto.
Hundreds of film fans turned up at Parkway Cinema Cleethorpes and Louth Playhouse for the free shows in return for cans in support of foods banks in Grimsby, Louth and Beverley. Director of Parkway Cinemas, Richard Parkes said staff were overwhelmed with the kindness of customers who flocked to see musical Encanto.
Families enjoyed a free ticket in return for two cans. The fundraising effort was staged to coincide with the Cannes Film Festival, where Top Gun movie was premiered.
Staff later dressed up as Top Gun pilots to take the van load of cans to food banks, including Grimsby’s We Are One Foundation and to the Louth Food Bank.
Richard said: “We were overwhelmed with the response. There were so many families came to Cleethorpes we had to open up another screen.
“It is tragic we have to collect cans for food banks in this day and age.
But the families that came were grateful. We collected well over 1,000 cans of food.
“We had many who came a long and just handed in cans of food without going in to watch the movie. There were lots who said they were happy for the chance to come and watch the film because they could not afford to take their family to the cinema.”
General manager Andrew Cooper said: “The event extends even further from donating food. There were families in the foyer offering thanks because they can’t often afford the cost of a ticket to see a film.
“Donating cans made it possible for bigger families struggling with rising bills to experience what feels like a luxury rather than an affordable indulgence to most. It was a great day.” He said the cinemas will be offering cut-price tickets over the half-term school holidays so families can enjoy going to the cinema for just £3. The series of films includes The Queen’s Corgi, including North Lincolnshire actress Sheridan Smith. Details will be announced on the cinema website.