On January 21, 2012 in Ottawa, Canada, approximately 200 people attended a spectacular Star Wars charity evening. This unusual fundraising and awareness event was organized by a team of local volunteers in support of TPRF’s Food for People program.

The major attraction was the appearance of twelve members of the 501st Ottawa Battalion, who appear at not-for-profit events dressed as characters from the Star Wars films. There are "battalions" of the 501st in many cities, committed to raising a tremendous amount of money for charity (without personal remuneration).

Children and adults attending the TPRF benefit had a wonderful experience posing for photographs with their favorite heroes and villains of the sci-fi saga and engaging in light saber battles.

A spokesperson for the volunteer team said, “We thought the cameras would never stop flashing as the well known sound track resounded throughout the hall!”

Other favorite fundraisers were a popcorn and lemonade stand and a raffle table of toys donated by a local toyshop. The audience watched a ten minute DVD introducing TPRF’s Food for People program prior to the other star attraction, a "fan version" of the first of the Star Wars trilogies.

A volunteer commented how moving it was to see the younger audience, many of whom come from affluent homes, watching the TPRF DVD attentively. It seemed they were touched by the difference made by the TPRF Food for People program in the lives of children of their own age.

The benefit attracted not only public interest but media attention too with CTV, a local TV channel, giving excellent coverage with a 6 minute segment on their morning news.

Approximately $1000 was raised for TPRF.