The competition is fun, but the purpose is serious business as 14 teams prepare for chapter 14 of Canstruction, which is recognized as the crown jewel of fundraisers for the Regional Inter-Faith Association.
Canstruction is a competition where area businesses, churches, industries and schools participate in building unique projects out of canned goods – which are then donated to RIFA.
“There are people out there that struggle,” Nick Butler said. “For them, it’s not ‘what am I going to eat,’ but ‘am I going to eat?'”
Employed by Tennalum, Butler made his remarks during a luncheon that involved various team members at Rock ‘N Dough Pizza + Brew Co., Tuesday.
Tennalum won Canstruction’s Best in Show for 2017.
The 2018 build-out for Canstruction begins September 25 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, and judges will select the winners the following day.
The event concludes with an awards dinner, which will be held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, September 27, featuring three-time Dove Award winners Shane & Shane.
Shaun Powers, assistant director at RIFA, said 13 teams participated in the 2017 event, which resulted in the donation of 31,000 pounds of canned goods to the Jackson non-profit.
“Three teams placed in international competition,” Powers said. “JEA had the second best structural design in the world with “Fueling the Flames for Hunger,” Toyota Bodine (Aluminum) placed fourth in the Best Original Design with its “Together we CAN pack the bus,” and Gerdau was the Best Meal Winner with its “Taking Down Hunger.”
Chad P. Wilson, president of Foundation Bank in Jackson, said community involvement is a top priority for his organization.
“We want to invest in things that will outlive us,” Wilson said. “That’s our purpose statement at Foundation Bank, and we want ot contribute to organizations that are investing in the lives of others.
“We feel very indebted to the communities we serve, and want to share the fruit from our businesses.”
(PHOTO: Chad Wilson, president, Foundation Bank of Jackson visits with Shaun Powers, assistant director of the Regional Inter-Faith Association)
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