Still want to enter a team? E-mail us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com
- Every $1 donated helps provide 3 meals -
Canstruction is a unique world wide charity which hosts competitions, exhibitions, and events showcasing colossal structures made entirely out of full cans of food.
Canstruction Chicago (under the umbrella of Canstruction) is a design/build event which benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository (Food Depository). Teams comprised of professionals from the AEC industry fundraise for, design, and build structures composed of non-perishable food items. These “Cansculptures” are housed in the first floor of the Merchandise Mart and are on display to the public as a giant art exhibition. The “Cansculptures” are judged in various categories by a celebrity chef and prominent members of the AEC industry. Canstruction Chicago culminates in an awards presentation and cocktail party at the Merchandise Mart.
We invite you to click here to see photos of previous years' Canstruction Build Nights and ChicagoCAN awards reception.
In 2018, Canstruction Chicago collected over 138,000 lbs of non-perishable items for the Food Depository’s network of 700 soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs throughout Cook County. This will help provide over 230,000 meals for the 1 in 8 men, women and children whom the Food Depository serve annually. Canstruction Chicago is the Food Depository’s largest one-day food drive event of the year.
Benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository | October 10 – November 4, 2019
We are actively seeking 2019 sponsors. If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com. 2019 sponsorship opportunities coming soon, but feel free to review our 2018 information below.
Download the 2018 Canstruction Sponsorship Opportunities (over $1000) HERE
Download the 2018 Canstruction Support Opportunities Packet (up to $1000) HERE.
For additional information, please contact:
Paul Le Beau, Fund Development, Greater Chicago Food Depository, (773) 843-7777, plebeau@gcfd.org
Kelsey Kirkley, Canstruction Chicago Committee, Pella Crafted Luxury, (312) 897-3600, kirkleyk@pella.com
Each year, the efforts of our teams are highlighted at ChicagoCAN, our charity cocktail and awards reception. The 2019 event will be held in the South Lobby of the Merchandise Mart on Thursday, October 17 from 5:30-8pm. Awards start at 6pm. All are welcome! Stay tuned for ticket information.
Teams competing in Chicago have the opportunity to take home an award in any of this year’s six categories:
Best Meal The food items used in the structure could create a tasty meal
Best Use of Labels Clever and artistic use of the labels' color and design.
Structural Ingenuity Pushes the limits of gravity and physics to turn a basic can of food into a structure that makes you say, “WOW, how did they do that?”
Most Cans Used The award for the biggest donation to the GCFD
Best Original Design Award for the most creative and well-executed design
People’s Choice: Determined by you, the people! Vote online here starting October 11, 2019.
All teams' builds are submitted for consideration for the International Canstruction awards. 2018 saw two winners from Chicago! See all the winners HERE
Matt Dvorak, Co-Chair, Primera Engineers
Katie Miller, Co-Chair, IA Interior Architects
Steve Carroll, REX Electric & Technologies
Kelsey Kirkley, Pella Windows & Doors
Brent Griffin, Loberg Construction
Paul Le Beau, Greater Chicago Food Depository
Jessica Ou, Greater Chicago Food Depository
Kristin Pabst, theMart
Joan Pomaranc, AIA Chicago
Christine Prevolos, Sam Schwartz
Brian Wesolowski, GHA Engineers
Jaime Zwierzynski, REX Electric & Technologies
E-mail us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining our committee.
Canstruction, Inc. is an international non profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Visit the Corporate website at www.canstruction.org
Canstruction was founded in 1992 by the late Cheri Melillo and her colleagues from the Society for Design Administration (SDA). Melillo was first inspired by the notion of Canstruction through trial competitions held in SDA offices in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA. Cheri created a Canstruction New York City chapter and held the first official Canstruction Competition in New York City on November 13, 1993.
Canstruction® has grown from a New York-based competition to an international competition involving the entire design and construction industry in over 150 cities across the world. Every local winner goes on to compete, internationally via digital photography. Official award categories include: Honorable Mention, Juror’s Favorite, Best Meal, Peoples Choice, Best Use of Labels and Structural Integrity. Recognized for our commitment to innovation, hunger reliefand collaboration, our work has helped raise over 21 million pounds of food since 1992 and continues to impact communities across the world.
Our Mission: To feed and inspire the world – one can at a time.
Visit the Canstruction, Inc. Corporate website at www.canstruction.org for more information.
We’re gearing up for another incredible year. Save the date to join us in celebration of our 2019 competition on Thursday, October 17th at the Merchandise Mart.
Visit our Facebook page and gallery to see the 2018 winners
Questions, Comments, Ideas? Email us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com
