Cans for Christmas: Movie House cinemas invite moviegoers to swap tins for tickets to support local food banks
This Christmas, Movie House cinemas are giving customers the chance to enjoy a festive film while helping make a difference to families in need across Northern Ireland.
Cans for Christmas will see the independent cinema group host a special festive screening of Santa Claus: The Movie, with all food donations going to local food banks to help support families in the community.
On Saturday 5 December at 11.30am, Movie House Jet Centre Coleraine, Cityside/Yorkgate, Glengormley and Maghera, will host a special screening of the Christmas classic Santa Claus: The Movie.
The idea is simple – bring along two or more cans of food and receive a FREE cinema ticket to enjoy the festive favourite on the big screen. It's a chance to enjoy some Christmas magic while making a meaningful contribution to local communities.
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online booking is not available, but customers can bring their donations to their local Movie House in advance to collect their tickets, or simply turn up on the day with their cans, subject to availability.
All donations will go to food banks supporting local families in the areas surrounding each cinema:
Cityside/Yorkgate: North Belfast Food Bank; Glengormley: Newtownabbey Food Bank; Maghera: Link Community Centre Food Bank; Jet Centre, Coleraine: Causeway Foodbank.
Jet Centre manager Wanda Donnan said: “As an independent, locally owned cinema group in Northern Ireland, we feel it's important to support the communities we're part of, particularly at Christmas when we know some families can find things especially challenging.
“We hope Cans for Christmas will bring people together for a little festive fun while also helping provide some much-needed support to local food banks. Every donation, no matter how big or small, can make a difference.
“Tinned soup, beans, vegetables, fruit, meat and fish are all very welcome. We simply ask that customers check the use-by dates on their donations.”
Santa Claus: The Movie (U), starring Dudley Moore and John Lithgow, is a festive favourite packed with Christmas magic. The story follows an ordinary toymaker who discovers a magical kingdom of elves at the North Pole and becomes Santa Claus.
But when his ambitious elf Patch heads to New York, he finds himself caught up in the schemes of a ruthless toy tycoon. Can Santa save Patch and Christmas itself?
So, gather your family, grab a couple of cans and join Movie House for a Christmas cinema treat that gives something back.
Information can be found at https://moviehouse.co.uk/cityside-belfast/news/21895.