Team Captains Kick-off Meeting is April 24, 2018
5:30-6:30pm
35 E. Wacker, AIA Offices
- Every $1 donated funds 3 meals -
““Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more” ”
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 Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). 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 2017, Canstruction Chicago collected over 120,797 lbs of non-perishable items for the GCFD’s network of 700 soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs throughout Cook County. This will provide 100,664 meals for the 1 in 6 men, women and children whom the GCFD serve annually. Canstruction Chicago is the GCFD’s largest one-day food drive event of the year.
The 2017 Team of FitzGerald, Eriksson Engineering Associates, Power Construction, and ECS Midwest won First Place in the Best Use of Labels Category for their CanSculpture entitled "Standing Together Against Hunger."
The 2017 of theMart and VDTA won Third Place for Most Cans Used for their CanSculpture entitled "Leave Hunger Out in the Cold."
Congratulations to both Teams!
Press release can be found here: www.canstruction.org/press
Benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository | August 15 – September 9, 2018
We are actively seeking 2018 sponsors. If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com.
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:
Each year, the efforts of our teams are highlighted at ChicagoCAN, our charity cocktail and awards reception. The 2018 event will be held in the South Lobby of the Merchandise Mart on Thursday, August 23, 5:30-8pm. Awards start at 6pm. All are welcome!
Teams competing in Chicago have the opportunity to take home an award in any of this year’s six categories:
Best Original Design Award for the most creative and well-executed 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?”
Best Meal The food items used in the structure could create a tasty meal
Most Cans Used The award for the biggest donation to the GCFD
Best Use of Labels Clever and artistic use of the labels' color and design.
People’s Choice: Determined by you, the people! Vote online here starting August 16, 2018.
All teams's builds are submitted for consideration for the International Canstruction awards. 2017 saw two winners from Chicago! See all the winners HERE
E-mail us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com
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.
Save the Date! The 2018 ChicagoCAN event will be held Thursday, August 23, 2018 at theMart. Stay tuned for more information!
Questions, Comments, Ideas? Email us at canstructionchicago@gmail.com
