Canstruction Waterloo Region returns to Conestoga Mall March 14 to 22

Waterloo Region, Ont., March 11, 2026 – Creativity and community come together once again as Canstruction Waterloo Region returns to Conestoga Mall during March Break, March 14 to 22!

Presented by Cohen Highley Lawyers and hosted by The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, the week-long event brings local businesses and community groups together to turn cans into art—and help build a future without hunger. On March 13, 13 teams will transform over 26,000 unopened food cans into awe-inspiring structures, showcasing both imagination and skill.

“Every year, I’m amazed by the creativity and care that goes into these incredible builds, made entirely from non-perishable food,” says Kim Wilhelm, CEO at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “Right now, one in nine households in our community is accessing food support. Canstruction not only sparks imagination—it raises vital food and funds to help families and individuals in need.”

This year, The Food Bank aims to raise 100,000 meals through donations. After the event, all food used in the structures will be distributed to the 61 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network, supporting nearly 73,000 adults and children in the region accessing food support.

Donate to Vote

From March 14 to 22, the public is invited to visit Conestoga Mall, admire the structures, and donate to vote for their favourite. The structure with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award, presented on March 23. Online voting is also available at thefoodbank.ca/dtv. Every dollar donated provides two nutritious meals for neighbours in need.

Find Phil contest

Families and kids can join the fun by searching for Phil the Food Drive Bag stickers, The Food Bank’s mascot, hidden in the structures. Find three stickers, fill out a ballot or enter online at thefoodbank.ca/findPhil for a chance to win a prize. The draw will take place on March 23.

Teams

This year’s participating teams:

• Arcadis
• Brock Solutions
• City of Kitchener Building Division
• Collaborative Structures Ltd
• Conestoga College
• Demant
• Google
• J.L. Richards & Associates
• MTE Consultants
• Steed & Evans
• Stubbe’s Precast
• Teledyne
• Van Harten Surveying

Awards

A judging panel will review the builds on March 14, with awards presented on March 22 for: Best Original Design, Structural Ingenuity, Best Use of Labels, Most Cans, Best Meal, and Judges’ Favourite. Winning teams also become eligible to complete at the international level against other citywide events.

For more details about Canstruction Waterloo Region, visit thefoodbank.ca/canstruction.

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. Forty-one years after its incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs, ensuring that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger. As a distribution centre, The Food Bank distributes more than 9.6 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 61 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network.

About Canstruction Waterloo Region

Affiliated with Canstruction, an internationally recognized hunger relief charity, Canstruction Waterloo Region raises awareness about food insecurity in our community as well as food and funds in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Locally, the event has raised more than 1.9 million meals since 2008—helping to ensure no one in the community goes hungry. Canstruction Waterloo Region 2026 is presented by Cohen Highley Lawyers and sponsored by Fastenal (donate to vote), Steed and Evans, Conestoga Mall, and Innovative Digital. The Find Phil contest is sponsored by Aire One Heating & Cooling KW, Eyeview Optical, and Eyes on King.

Follow/like us on social

#CanstructionWR #FeedWR
Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky, Pinterest: @FoodBankWatReg
LinkedIn/YouTube: @FoodBankWaterlooRegion

Media contact

Michelle Rickard
Manager, Marketing and Communications
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region
micheller@thefoodbank.ca