Details

Schedule - April 20, 2012

7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Carpenter Hazlewood employees setting up for the day

8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Food drop off/registration of teams

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. BUILD THOSE STRUCTURES!!!!!

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Judging & lunch

12:00 p.m. Awards ceremony begins. You can also take pictures of the completed structures during this time

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Load the food onto the United Food Bank truck 

Schedule is subject to change based on weather and other events.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q#1: What exactly is this project?
This project began as an office contest in 2008 to see which of four teams in the Carpenter Hazlewood office could build the best structure made entirely out of food that could be donated to a food bank. We had so much fun that in 2009 we decided to invite clients and friends to join us. We moved the event to our parking lot, threw out some challenges and the fun began. Teams began planning their structure months in advance. Structures were judged by the Tempe Fire Department. Trophies were given out in several categories, a barbeque lunch was catered, and the best part: More than 13,000 pounds of food was donated at the end of the day to the food bank!
 

Q#2: Where does the food we need to build our structure come from?
There are several ways you can collect the food you need to build your structures.

• Ask for donations from your co-workers, kids' schools, neighborhoods, your doctor's office, etc. If you choose to go this route, it would probably be best to pick your structure first so you know what kind of food items you will need to build your structure and then ask for those items specifically to be donated. We would be happy to provide you with as many food collections boxes as you need to be able to collect food in this way.
• Ask your corporate vendors to get involved: Several teams in the past have asked for vendors they work with to make monetary donations toward the cost of their structures. We'd be happy to give recognition to any companies that choose to give in this way. There will be plenty of room in your building space for a thank you sign.
• Personal donations from your fellow team members. Many of the structures last year were built with donations from the actual building team.

* If you would like to put together a building team but you need help funding it, please contact us. There may be some way we can help your team out.
 

Q#3: How do we get the food to the event?
Work with your individual team members to arrange for food transportation. Most teams have at least 4 members and we have plenty of room for parking. We can definitely accomodate multiple cars per team.
 

Q#4: What happens to all that food?
The food is going to United Food Bank, which serves all of the East Valley & Eastern Arizona. United works with over 250 agencies and organizations like Sunshine Acres children’s home to distribute food and specialty boxes to those in need. The need has never been higher and we are proud to be working with United this year.
 

Q#5: How can I participate in this event?
There are many ways to participate. You can form a team or two from your organization and collect food to build a structure. This is a great way to team-build within your company and give to a worthy cause. You can donate food to a team to use in their structure. You can bring a few cans on the day of the event and come cheer the teams on. Support in any way is always appreciated!
 

Q#6: How does each team decide what to build?
There are lots of examples of food structures on the internet. Try typing “canned food structures”  or Canstruction™ in a search engine for ideas. 

Your imagination is the limit! But keep in mind the structures on those websites were built over the course of many days with lots of cans by professional engineers! The pictures from our gallery of the past CANcel Out Hunger events will give you a more realistic idea of what can be built in the time frame you will be given—1 ½ hours. Less can be more! Be creative!

Q#7: How much room do we have to build?
The building spaces are approximately 13 feet wide by 16 feet deep.