The Block had the privilege of getting to know Japan’s famous competitive eater, Takeru Kobayashi (or as his friends call him, Kobi) while shooting him for a fashion feature for our Spring issue, and we’re happy to count the young star as a friend. When Kobi told us about his campaign to help raise funds for disaster relief in his home country, we knew we had to throw our support behind him wholeheartedly. So that’s why we’re asking you to HELP KOBI HELP JAPAN.

For every Zinio digital subscription The Block sells from now until August, we’ll donate $2 to Kobi’s Red Cross disaster relief fund. PLUS: every new digital subscriber will be entered into a contest to win a free iPad 2.

It’s the least we could do for a good friend – and a great country.