Cans Holiday Film Festival in Cedar Rapids aims to collect food for The Salvation Army

CEDAR RAPIDS - Donate canned goods and see a free classic holiday film.

The idea behind the 32nd annual Cans Holiday Film Festival and Food Drive is that simple.

Hosted by Marcus Wehrenberg Theatres and The Salvation Army, this year's event takes place Saturday with food items being collected for The Salvation Army from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Cinema, 5340 Council St. NE.

Each person who donates five or more canned food items will receive free admission to one of three holiday classic films - 'It's a Wonderful Life,” 'Elf” or 'The Polar Express.” Donors can choose from a selection of showtimes playing all day, including in the evening.

Those making donations also will receive a buy-one-ticket, get-one-ticket offer to return to see another $5 holiday classic film from Dec. 8-14. These films are 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,” 'A Christmas Story” and 'White Christmas.”

'We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Salvation Army,” said Rolando Rodriguez, chairman, president and CEO of Marcus Theatres. 'In the fight against hunger, every can counts. Beyond receiving a free holiday film, we hope the community continues to embrace this as an opportunity to help those less fortunate when they need it the most.”

Lia Pontarelli, director of development and communications for The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids, said the canned goods collected during the event are used in various programs throughout the year, including the community meal program and in supplemental food boxes.

'In 2016, the canned goods collected from this program helped provide 38,102 meals and 1,606 food boxes,” she said. 'We thank the community for their generous support of this program in the past and hope to see everyone Dec. 2. Whether giving five cans or 50 cans, your donation makes a difference.”

The Cedar Rapids Cinema is one of 12 Marcus Theatres locations taking part in the food drive. For a complete list of participating locations, as well as showtimes, go to marcustheatres.com/cans.