Canstruction 2024

Canstruction Waterloo Region, presented by Cohen Highley Lawyers, has raised an incredible 113,284 meals for individuals and families who are struggling to afford food.

This yearly event, held at Conestoga Mall during March Break, raises food and money in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and highlights the serious issue of food insecurity in the community. This year, the event collected 30,140 pounds of food and raised $44,868 through donations from both the community and businesses. That’s the same as 113,284 meals. Since 2008, Canstruction Waterloo Region, affiliated with Canstruction, has raised more than 1.8 million meals.

2024 Canstruction Waterloo Region winners

This year, 14 teams from local businesses used their creativity to build awe-inspiring structures from 24,000 unopened food cans. On March 11, three structures were awarded red ribbons in the following categories:

Best Original Design: MTE Consultants (Clearing the Path to Food Security)
Structural Ingenuity: MTE Consultants (Clearing the Path to Food Security)
Best Use of Labels: MTE Consultants (Clearing the Path to Food Security)
Most Cans: Van Harten Surveying (Farmers Feed the World)
Best Meal: Arcadis (Harbour of Hope Hauler)
Judges’ Favourite: MTE Consultants (Clearing the Path to Food Security)

The winning teams are now eligible to compete at the international level against builds from other citywide Canstruction events.

The coveted People’s Choice Award went to Brock Solutions for Hidden Hunger. This build raised 6,250 meals through the donate to vote option. Other fan favourites included Van Harten Surveying for Farmers Feed the World with 3,614 meals, and Stubbe’s Precast for Can-Prix Champion with 3,116 meals. Between March 9 and 17, community members voted for their favourite build by making a financial donation to The Food Bank, raising $10,268 or 20,536 meals!

The donations received during Canstruction Waterloo Region will help The Food Bank in filling inventory gaps, buying food to meet diverse cultural and dietary needs, maintaining delivery operations, and supporting the Community Food Assistance Network—a collaborative system of over 120 agencies and community programs providing food support and essential services to those in need.