Build A Canned Food Sculpture & Battle Food Insecurity!

Friday, March 28, 2025

Westfield State University • Build 11 AM-2 PM • Public Viewing & Awards 5-7 PM

Create A Team • Make A Plan • Build An Award-Winning Sculpture!

Join us for an exciting exhibit and design competition that brings together talented engineers, contractors, students, scouts, church groups to build colossal structures entirely from canned goods and non‑perishable food items! This event raises awareness of food insecurity, showcases local design talent, and offers a fantastic opportunity for team building and community engagement. Schools can also use this as a fun way to teach STEAM principles while giving back. All proceeds benefit the Westfield Food Pantry* – let’s build something great together! This event is open to all ages and groups.

Can't compete? You can still help!

Build A Can-Tree For The Pantry!

Build a Simple CAN-Tree at your school or business to help raise awareness and donate the cans to the Westfield Food Pantry after December 31.

This season, take part in our community initiative by creating a CAN-tree display in your lobby, office, or building. Not only will you help generate excitement for our upcoming March event, but you’ll also contribute to feeding your neighbors and add a festive touch to your space! Let’s make a difference together, one can at a time.

To build a can-tree similar to this one, you will need 528 cans EXACTLY, along with four stabilization circles. If you would like to leave a collection container next to your tree to encourage visitors to donate, you could use festively wrapped box!

If this six level tree is too big or too much to take on, feel free to omit a layer or two! Or go ahead and add to make it even bigger! Be creative! Your tree doesn’t have to be green! You don’t have to use cans! You could use boxed food, toilet paper, pet food! You can use color that match your company’s logo! Add on a string of lights! Your imagination is the limit.

Proceeds benefit Westfield Food Pantry and Westfield State/Common Goods.

Email director@westfieldfoodpantry.org with your intention to join by Nov. 22, 2024 and we will provide you with a sign to display at your location.

Official Rules and Regulations For Build Teams

Be sure to review the rules before you get too far in the planning process.

Brainstorm sculpture ideas with your group, design and make a list of the non-perishable food items you’ll need to build your structure.

Start collecting your food now!

Be specific when asking for food: include brand, size, flavor, etc because it makes a difference! A 15.25 oz DelMonte whole kernel canned corn looks very different from Stop and Shop brand 15.25 oz whole kernel sweet corn. It will make a difference in your sculpture!

Schools are responsible for collecting nonperishable items to build your structure (we can help you with some ideas!).

Sculptures will be judged and awards given out for:

• Best Use of Labels
• Most Cans Used
• Structural Integrity
• Most nutritious (or most balanced meal)
• Fan Favorite

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Structure Rules

• Food cans of all sizes may be used. If using plastic containers, make sure they can take the weight of cans from above.
• No glass containers
• No alcoholic beverages
• All food items must be unopened with labels intact and legible
• Please avoid junk food and soda
• Use of bagged or boxed food items is permitted
• No expired food
• No empty cans, plastic bottles, containers
• Maximum size is 8ft long x 8 ft wide x 8 ft tall.
• Props are discouraged. Try to solve all design problems with nonperishable food items
• Foam-core, cardboard, plywood, Plexiglass, threaded rods are permissible
• Velcro, any tape, rubber bands, nylon string, wire, zip ties are permissible
• No permanent adhesives

TEAMS

• You must have a sign with your team name and info as well as a sign with the name of your structure at your build site
• Teams must submit the following information NO LATER THAN MARCH 1^st‍
  • ‍Title of structure, written description, design concept, dimensions, detailed list of foods and numbers of cans used. This information is used for display and statistic purposes. Submit information to director@westfieldfoodpantry.org.
• Teams of up to 6 will have (3) hours to complete their structure
• Teams are responsible for leaving their site “broom clean”

Register By Email

Email director@westfieldfoodpantry.org with your intention to join the March 28^th event by no later than March 1, 2025 with the details about your structure outlined above.

* Post event, all food will be collected and donated to the Westfield Food Pantry. If teams want their canned goods to go to a different organization they may, however, they are responsible for transportation/delivery.