What can Local businesses, architects, engineers, and students from around the Madison area build with over 1,000 cans of peaches and canned chicken?
More than just a giant pirate ship or Bucky Badger, according to Middleton Outreach Ministry, who is hosting their second annual Madison-area Canstruction Competition on Thursday, May 3rd at the KEVA Sports Center in Middleton. “Each can is more than just a building block of an enormous sculpture; each can is food for a family and another step towards ending hunger in this community,” says Val Hartjes, Special Event Manager for MOM.
Canstruction® is a competition where groups build incredible, highly imaginative structures out of canned goods and packaged food. After the structures are built and the winners are declared, all food used in the structures will be donated to the Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) Food Pantry. Teams will build structures that day which will be judged by design professionals and community leaders. Trophies will be awarded for use of color, creativity and engineering. Last year the event raised 20 tons of food, which nearly equals a semi-truck full of food.
Food pantries struggle during the summer months. The need for food dramatically increases because children are not receiving free and reduced lunch at school and because our donations decrease as a result of summer travel. “We selected May for our Canstruction Competition because it will allow us to build up a food reserve going into the summer,” says Cheri Farha, Distribution Center Manager for MOM.
MOM is currently registering teams for this community competition to end hunger. One of the most meaningful and fun community building competition available in the Madison area, MOM offers design experts to teams who don’t have design expertise and want everyone to consider participating in this unique and fun event. All teams will attend a kick-off Team Meeting in late January or mid February. Teams can range from church, school or business groups to teams of friends. Event sponsors are also needed.
The event is supported by AIA (American Institute of Architects) of Southwest Wisconsin, and is presented by the Madison Area Builders Association. “The Madison Area Builders Association is excited to be part of Canstruction; building and feeding the future together, “ says Julie Sheldon, PR Chairperson from MABA. “It’s a great fit!”
The community event on May 3will be great fun for the whole family. Besides viewing and voting for favorite sculptures, there will be food concessions and children’s activities. The site is sponsored by KEVA Sports.
More information about the event or about registering as a team or sponsor can be found at canstructionmadison.org.
