Families are being invited to enjoy a free screening of Shrek at Richmond’s Station Cinema this summer – all they need to do is bring four tins or cans of food for charity.
The special screening takes place at 4pm on Sunday, July 26, with every donation going to Richmond Storehouse Foodbank, which supports people across the area experiencing food poverty.
As part of the cinema’s annual charity initiative, each person who donates four tins or cans of food will receive a free ticket to watch the animated family favourite.
Storehouse, which is run by Influence Church on Victoria Road, provides emergency food parcels to people unable to provide adequately for themselves, working with referral agencies across Richmond.
The event continues a long-standing partnership between The Station Cinema and the foodbank. Over the past four years, audiences have donated more than 5,200 food items through similar charity screenings.
Tickets cannot be booked online. Instead, cinema-goers must visit The Station Cinema ticket office in person with their food donations to collect their tickets. They will be issued on a first come, first served basis.
Harry Ritson, technical and cinema manager at Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT), which owns and operates The Station, said: “This is exactly the kind of event we love to put on. It’s a brilliant family film, it’s the summer holidays, and every single ticket does a bit of good.
“The idea couldn’t be simpler – bring four cans, watch Shrek for free. Do the right thing, even if you’re a bit of a swamp-dweller! We’d love to fill the screen and, more importantly, fill Storehouse’s shelves.”
Gemma Lord, chief executive of RBPT, said the screening reflected The Station’s role at the heart of the community.
She said: “The Station is far more than a cinema, it’s a community anchor, and this screening captures exactly what we stand for.
“Bringing families together around a wonderful film while directly supporting Richmond Storehouse Foodbank shows how generosity and enjoyment can go hand in hand. We’re proud to turn a summer afternoon into practical help for local families, and we’d encourage everyone to dig out four tins and come along.”
The cinema’s festive charity screening, Cans for Claus, will return on Sunday, December 13, with a screening of Elf.
Storehouse can accept tinned and canned goods, along with long-life dry or jarred foods, but cannot accept fresh produce.
