Kitchener, ON – April 2, 2020 – It may have been short and sweet but the impact of Canstruction® Waterloo Region, presented by Alles Drywall & Interior Construction Inc., can’t be ignored. Despite wrapping up early – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the annual event raised 129,823 meals.

The event was dismantled early due to public health recommendations as well as restrictions from Ivanhoé Cambridge (Conestoga Mall’s parent company). For 13 years, Canstruction® Waterloo Region has brought together designers, architects and engineers to use their talents and creativity to help people struggling with food security.

“Of course we were disappointed to dismantle the structures earlier than expected but thanks to technology, the community still had the opportunity to see the builds and vote for their favorite,” said Wendi Campbell, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “Each year, the event continues to grow – raising more food and awareness about the need for food assistance in our community. This is such a unique event and we are glad, despite the circumstance, that the teams could show off their hard work and the community could continue to enjoy it.”

All the food and funds raised during Canstruction® Waterloo Region are used to provide food for the 220 emergency hampers and the 1,600 community meals distributed every day through the Community Food Assistance Network. The Community Food Assistance Network is a system of 100+ community programs and agency partners providing food and connection to other vital supports needed by children, seniors, families and individuals – every day.

The community was encouraged to donate-to-vote online for their favorite structure, to determine the People’s Choice Award.

Drumroll please!

The 2020 Canstruction® Waterloo Region People’s Choice Award goes to: Survival CANping from Quadro Engineering.

Judging for the remaining categories – Structural Ingenuity, Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Most Cans, Honourable Mention and Judges’ Favorite – took place on March 14, 2020. The judges – Rob Alles (Alles Drywall & Interior Construction Inc.), Kim Strassburger (Strassburger Windows & Doors), Katie Baker (Cohen Highley), Ian Adare (D2L), Sairah Naheed (NCR), Angie Hill & Sarge (99.5KFUN) and Cash & Rae (105.3 Virgin Radio) – awarded the following winners:

• Structural Ingenuity – MTE “Fill JaPantry for a Healthy Family – Japan 2020”
• Best Meal – BJC Architects “Cans Can Feed, Can You?”
• Best Use of Labels – Stantec “Hungry for Gold”
• Most Cans – Quadro “Survival CANping”
• Best Original Design – Quadro “Survival CANping”
• Judges’ Favourite – Stantec “Hungry for Gold”
• Honourable Mention – ABA Architects & Zehr Group “The Sugar Thief”

This year’s event featured 14 teams: ABA Architects & Zehr Group, BJC Architects, Brock Solutions, C3 Water, GHD & eSolutions Group, IBI Group, MTE Consultants, Quadro Engineering, Rombald Inc., Stantec, Stubbe’s Precast, WalterFedy, Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Science, and WitzelDyce Engineering Inc.

A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors. Without their generosity, Canstruction® Waterloo Region would not take place.

Presenting sponsor, Alles Drywall & Interior Construction Inc., Cohen Highley LLP., Strassburger Windows and Doors, Lesley Warren design group inc. , Conestoga Mall, Westmount Signs & Printing, Julie D. Martin Century 21 Heritage House Ltd. Brokerage, Eye View Optical, Eyes on King, Clintar, Waterloo Region Record Community Partnerships Program, 99.5 KFUN, 105.3 Virgin Radio and Volkswagen Waterloo

If you are interested in learning more about Canstruction® Waterloo Region 2021, contact Becky Riley at beckyr@thefoodbank.ca. Space is limited!

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About The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

Founded in 1984, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (The Food Bank) was the first organization of its kind in Ontario dedicated to providing emergency food. Thirty-five years after incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community, ensuring no one goes hungry. As a leader of the Community Food Assistance Network, The Food Bank acquires and distributes more than 5 million pounds of fresh, frozen and non-perishable food to 100+ community programs and agency partners throughout Waterloo Region. The Food Bank is a registered charitable organization. Learn more at: www.thefoodbank.ca.

About Canstruction®

Canstruction® is a unique, international event engaging designers, architects and engineers to use their talents to help those struggling with food insecurity. The event raises funds, food and awareness for local food banks. In Waterloo Region, Canstruction® has raised food and funds to provide more than 1,000,000 meals since 2008. Each year more than 100,000 visitors to Conestoga Mall enjoy seeing the amazing creations and vote with their financial donations to select the “People’s Choice winner. thefoodbank.ca/canstruction.

Contact

Jennifer Judges
Communications Specialist
o: 519.743.5576 x 236
e: jenniferj@thefoodbank.ca