Food bank invites Star Wars star to attend gala

Luke Skywalker is known for destroying death stars and taking on the forces of evil, but how is he at a fancy gala?

Edmonton’s Food Bank hopes to find out.

The charitable organization put out an invitation to their annual Christmas Gala to Star Wars star Mark Hamill on Twitter on Tuesday in hopes that he would respond with a “Yes.” The gala, to be held at the Doubletree by Hilton on Nov. 21, is one of the food bank’s largest fundraising events.

Last year, the event raised more than $90,000.

Carly Kincaid Williams, special events and communications co-ordinator with the food bank, said a few days ago a former colleague tagged Hamill and the food bank in a tweet about feeding hungry people, and the actor replied. She said since he commented on the tweet, they decided to put out the invitation to see if the pop culture icon would come.

“Everyone likes Luke Skywalker,” Kincaid Williams said. “The (gala) is one of our big events every year. It just supports the community in such a huge way. It really is the Christmas event of the year.”

The food bank has a bit of a history with characters from the Star Wars films.

In 1999, Anthony Daniels, who portrayed C-3PO, and Warwick Davis, who played the teddy bearlike Ewok Wicket, attended a convention that supported the food bank.

While Hamill has yet to reply, the gala will feature singer Tom

Jackson, who will be performing his renowned Huron Carole.

“I’m sure Tom Jackson would like to meet him because he’s amazing,” she added.

Kincaid Williams said every month, the food bank supports 22,000 people.

A single ticket to the gala is $125. Those wishing to purchase a ticket or table can do so by visiting the Canada Helps website.