CANstruction Rochester 2024

Every year, CANstruction brings together creativity, engineering, and community service in a unique way. This international charity competition, where architects, engineers, contractors, and students design and build giant structures from cans of food, supports the fight against hunger on a large scale. Alongside over 100 cities across North America, from Albany to Houston, the Rochester CANstruction event is a key annual fundraiser making a significant impact on the community for Foodlink, the local food bank serving the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Region.

As the 2024 competition approaches, the excitement is brewing for what’s to come, which promises spectacularly spooky designs and impressive results for local food banks.

What is CANstruction?

CANstruction combines art, design, and community service to address food insecurity. Teams of local engineering, design and construction professionals and students collaborate to create large-scale can sculptures, which are later donated to local food banks. These creative structures raise awareness about hunger while directly providing thousands of meals to those in need. Since its inception, CANstruction has raised millions of pounds of food across North America.

In Rochester, CANstruction supports Foodlink’s mission to eliminate hunger by providing wholesome food and empowering individuals and families. Each can used in these designs represents a meal for someone in need, showcasing how creativity can lift spirits and supply shelves at the same time.

Can Art to Food Banks

Last year’s competition, themed “Discovering Cans at The Strong,” highlighted the impact of CANstruction in the community. The Colliers Engineering & Design team, led by Captain Evan DeCotis, Senior Project Manager | Mechanical, created a vibrant yellow hippo inspired by the classic Hungry Hungry Hippos board game, using 5,060 cans of food. Overall, nearly 40,000 cans were donated to Foodlink during the competition, making a substantial difference for families facing food insecurity.

Since 2016, Colliers Engineering & Design has donated nearly 30,000 cans to Foodlink. These contributions help provide meals to those who might otherwise go without, reinforcing the vital role CANstruction plays in supporting local communities.

Community Impact

What makes CANstruction particularly special is the way it engages the community. It’s not just about architects and engineers building impressive structures; it’s about people coming together to support a common cause. Employees from Colliers Engineering & Design volunteer their time and resources to plan and build these masterpieces, while the public is invited to visit the exhibit and participate in raising awareness and funds.

Each structure made of canned food serves as a powerful reminder of the difference one community can make when working together. Beyond the impressive visual impact, these cans are transformed into meals that feed families in need, showcasing the generosity and creativity of the community.

Come See the Magic

The 2024 CANstruction competition, with its Halloween-inspired theme, is shaping up to be another exciting event. While the design from Colliers Engineering & Design remains a secret until Build Day on October 13, visitors can expect innovative and captivating structures this year.

The completed sculptures will be on display at The Strong National Museum of Play’s Adams Atrium from October 14 through November 2. The public is invited to view these extraordinary works of art and learn how something as simple as a can of food can make a significant difference. Every visit helps spread awareness, and every donation helps fight hunger.

We look forward to seeing you at the exhibit in October, where creativity and compassion unite to combat hunger, one can at a time!