FEEDING THE FORCE
KIDS CAN DRESS AS “STAR WARS” CHARACTERS AT THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK’S MAY THE 4TH EVENT.
“Star Wars” fans counting down until good battles evil in the upcoming big-screen release “Solo: A Star Wars Story” can help fight Houston hunger — and maybe even win a screening pass to the movie — at Houston Food Bank’s May the 4th Be With You volunteer event.
The Houston Food Bank is again joining forces with local fan group Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston to capitalize on the frenzy around May 4, which has become an internationally recognized, unofficial holiday for franchise devotees.
Volunteers are encouraged to dress in costumes or fan gear for a one-hour shift, where there will be sorting and packing jobs for adults and Padawans as young as 6, followed by games and activities.
The fan group has planned character appearances, which means young volunteer Stormtroopers and Chewbaccas can help inspect goods, check expiration dates and load boxes along with Han Solo and other heroes.
“Being able to volunteer alongside some of the characters they idolize makes it so much more worthwhile,” said Rocio Rubio, who manages volunteer services and recruitment for the Houston Food Bank.
“There’s so much enthusiasm over the franchise,” she said. “It’s full circle of them doing good in the movies and doing good in real life.”
Kids can participate in a Jedi Training Session, crafting pool noodles they have brought from home into lightsabers using duct tape.
Kristen Lee Ohanyan, founder of Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston, will help lead the lightsaber challenge like she did at last year’s event, teaching kids basic tricks they’ve seen in the movies, like a star-shaped combat move and a force push.
“There were adults that wanted to try it, too, of course,” she said.
Ohanyan’s fan group has hosted several canned-food drives and events for the Houston Food Bank, using the hashtag #feedtheforce to get the word out. “We want to help end the dark force of hunger in the Houston area,” she said.
Ohanyan will dress as Princess Leia and, with her husband as Obi Wan Kenobi, will help facilitate an all-ages “Star Wars” trivia challenge. As prizes for the winners, Disney donated movie screening passes for the May 25 “Solo” premiere.
With their son and daughter, who are also superfans, the Ohanyans will collect canned food for the Houston Food Bank again the next day, Revenge of the Fifth, at a comic-book event at Edwards Houston Marq’E theater.
Philanthropic they are.