Canned Goods for Good: Local Firms Unite to End Hunger at CANstruction PDX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2024
Contact: Miranda Brown, press@oregonfoodbank.org

Canned Goods for Good: Local Firms Unite to End Hunger at CANstruction PDX

Portland, Ore. — CAN we make a difference for those experiencing hunger in our community? Local architecture, construction, and engineering firms say ‘WE CAN!’ as they come together to combat hunger at the annual CANstruction PDX event. From Sept. 17 to 22, teams will transform more than 20,000 cans of food into stunning sculptures at Pioneer Place Mall, competing for titles like Best Original Design and People’s Choice.

This year’s goal is to provide 50,000 meals through the event. CANstruction isn’t just about art; it’s about impact. Since 1992, this international event has contributed over 20 million pounds of food to hunger relief efforts, with the Portland event alone providing nearly 681,000 pounds of food and $250,000 to Oregon and Southwest Washington.

“CANstruction is more than an art show or design contest — it's a creative solution in the movement to end hunger,” said Chris Mount, Director of the CANstruction Committee. “Architects, contractors and engineers come together to build towering pop art installations while also raising critical funds. This event highlights how businesses can creatively extend their impact beyond their core operations to make a real difference in their communities.”

“These shelf-stable goods are important for families — but CANstruction goes beyond this. It drives attention to the rising issue of hunger, demonstrates a unique and joyful way we can make a difference, and provides essential financial support that goes towards what can’t be donated: fresh fruits, vegetables, culturally specific items, and the investment in community power to end hunger at its roots,” shared Marissa Gray, Oregon Food Bank spokesperson. “It means Oregon Food Bank has the resources to bring to communities exactly what they need, whether it be bok choy or potatoes or peanut butter while advocating to change the systems that perpetuate hunger.”

This year’s CANstruction PDX is generously sponsored by Canon Solutions America. “At Canon, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back,” said Anna Slater, Director of Branch Sales in Portland. “CANstruction is a creative and impactful way to support those in need, and we are honored to be a part of it.”

Visitors can support Oregon Food Bank by voting for their favorite sculptures with donations, which will directly address hunger and its root causes. Last year’s event raised nearly $7,000 and 20,000 pounds of food, equating to 38,000 meals.

Participating companies include BRIC Architecture, David Evans and Associates, DCI Engineers, Froelich Engineering, Hennebery Eddy Architects, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Otak, P&C Construction, Soderstrom Architects, Swinerton, and ZGF Architects.

For media inquiries contact Miranda Brown at press@oregonfoodbank.org, 909-838-2824.

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PHOTO CAPTION A:

The CANstruction PDX — Oregon Food Bank partnership underscores the fusion of creativity and communal responsibility in the fight against hunger. Here, the KPFF-Swinerton-ZGF team poses with their Portland airport scene, including our beloved carpet — constructed from black beans, oatmeal, carrots, and more!

PHOTO CAPTION B:

No mystery here - this sasquatch has been sighted fighting hunger! Here the Hennebery Eddy-David Evans & Associates team is in the last stages of building their Yeti with a Yeti cooler! The CANstruction & Oregon Food Bank partnership joins creativity and philanthropy to help end hunger.

Additional photos and B-roll footage are available upon request.

ABOUT OREGON FOOD BANK

At Oregon Food Bank, we believe that food and health are basic human rights for all. We know that hunger is not just an individual experience; it is also a community-wide symptom of barriers to employment, education, housing, and healthcare. That’s why we work systemically in our mission to end hunger in Oregon: we build community connections to help people access nourishing, affordable food today, and we build community power to eliminate the root causes of hunger for good. Join us online OregonFoodBank.org and @oregonfoodbank on social media.

ABOUT CANStructionPDX

To feed and inspire the world – one can at a time. Canstruction® is a unique international charity which hosts exhibitions and competitions of giant whimsical and wildly inventive sculptures made entirely out of full cans of food. After they are built, the teams of architects, engineers, and contractors display their structures to the public to compete for winning titles. Recognized for our commitment to hunger relief and helping communities strengthen local food systems, the Portland event has raised more than one million meals to help fight hunger in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Learn more at www.canstructionpdx.org.