ASPEN – Kenichi restaurant in downtown Aspen is hosting a canned food drive Wednesday in exchange for 50 percent off sushi and food tickets.

The effort will benefit LIFT-UP, a Roaring Fork Valley nonprofit that donates the food it gathers to needy families in the valley.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the fourth annual charity effort.

It doesn’t matter how much food or money patrons donate; the discount is given even for just one can of food, said the restaurant’s general manager, Christian Henrichon.

The restaurant’s servers will also donate 10 percent of the money they make from tips during the evening to the effort, and Kenichi will match those donations.

Henrichon said cash donations from patrons will also be accepted.

He said the food drive reflects the restaurant’s commitment to similar charity efforts, which it conducts three to four times a year.

Another half-off night will be held early next month to benefit the Aspen Extreme Sports Camp for Autism, Henrichon said.

In the past, Kenichi has worked with a number of valley nonprofit and for-profit organizations on charity efforts, including Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Aspen Animal Shelter.

ahedge@aspentimes.com