Canned food sculpture competition will benefit local hunger relief organizations
The Virginia Tech Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships will host the first annual iCAN. This canned food sculpture competition will take place Saturday, Sept. 24 in the Commonwealth Ballroom of Squires Student Center.
The event is part of the center’s Seasons of Service initiative to inspire the university community to get involved in service throughout the year.
This year, the center will focus its support to local hunger relief agencies and create opportunities for education on hunger relief and food insecurity in the area. As part of the iCAN event, community members, students, faculty, and staff are invited to assemble a team and collect canned food items for an assigned hunger relief agency. With the collected cans, teams will sculpt a uniquely inspired structure before dissembling and donating to the local hunger relief agencies.
The iCAN event is part of a statewide effort to support hunger relief agencies throughout Virginia in collaboration with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, Ruritan, Virginia Engage, AARP and AmeriCorps Virginia.
Activities will take place throughout the competition. Teams will participate in games to earn points, including a scavenger hunt around Blacksburg and Virginia Tech to learn about the area. The teams will also be tested on their knowledge of hunger issues in the New River Valley. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to watch and vote for their favorite sculptures.
Awards will be given to structures with the most Hokie spirit, most creative or innovative and the team with the most cans. Additionally, a grand prize will be given to the team with the most points. Judging and the final viewing will take place between 4 and 6 p.m. where students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to come and see what is created with canned foods.
Teams must be registered by Monday, Sept. 15. Participants are encouraged to register early because space is limited.
Volunteers are needed to help with the event. For information or to receive the registration packet email Kayla Hastrup.
