Dunbar Theatre organizes film fundraiser for Nepal earthquake

If you've been concerned about the victims of the massive earthquake in Nepal, there are several things you can do to help.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country on April 25, devastating the country's capital Kathmandu.

Among the local businesses and organizations planning fundraising efforts is the Dunbar Theatre.

The Dunbar Theatre's owner Ken Charko told the Georgia Straight by phone that he knows a few people who have relatives in Nepal.

"It really showed me how small the world has become," he said.

He said the movie theatre has previously organized fundraisers for other international disasters including when typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013.

Charko had already scheduled the film Walking With the Enemy to be screened on Wednesday (April 29) at the theatre (4555 Dunbar Street) when he heard about the earthquake.

After Charko spoke with the film's producers, they agreed to cover the fees for their own portion so that the Dunbar Theatre can donate all proceeds from the 7 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. screenings to the Canadian Red Cross' earthquake relief efforts in Nepal.

Admission is by donation.

The Canadian government will match all donations.

The film stars Jonas Armstrong and Ben Kingsley in a Second World War drama about a young man who disguises himself as a Nazi SS officer to find his family that he was separated from. The film was inspired by the true story of Pinchas Tibor Rosenbaum, a Jewish man living in Budapest during the Nazi occupation.

Another way concerned citizens can donate to the Canadian Red Cross relief efforts is to simply send a text message. For more information, see this blog post.

Three Vancouver restaurants are also holding fundraisers for relief efforts: Gurkha Himalayan Kitchen, Yak & Yeti Bistro, and Café Kathmandu.