Houston held its first Canstruction event in 1996. It grew quickly from a few professional teams to both a student and professional competition that raised more than 100,000 pounds of food. After a brief haitus in 2003 and 2004, the competition restarted and continues on the tradition with a dedicated Board of Directors and committee.

Canstruction Houston, a non-profit association, recently became a federal charity under section 501(c)(3).

• All firms, schools, and sponsors will be recognized for their contributions.
• All food and remaining team sponsor donations will go to the Houston Food Bank.
• Competition will be held in accordance with the Charter of Canstruction, Inc.

Architects, engineers, designers, contractors and students mentored by these professionals, are challenged to design and build colossal sculptures using canned food as their primary building block. Tape and cardboard serve as nails and cement. The colors and designs on food product labels form the artists' pallet. "Bricks" come in a variety of sizes from the smallest tuna can to the industrial-size tomato can. Competition rules dictate that structures can be only 10' x 20' x 8' h and must be self-supporting.

This deliciously inventive charity broke ground in 1992, the brainchild of the Society for Design Administration in association with chapters of the American Institute of Architects and allied professional organizations in the design and construction industry. A truly grass roots, all volunteer charity, the competition currently takes place in over 90 cities across North America but is destined to spread beyond our shores to nations around the world. Its the most exciting food drive ever created.

1.2 million pounds of food is currently raised annually as a result of the competitions. Our goal is to significantly increase this amount each year by increasing the number of cities and firms participating, and by increasing the quantity of food used in each structure. Canstruction® has the ability to cross all political, national, racial and religious boundaries, bringing all societies together to produce a visually stunning collective statement to put an end to hunger.

www.canstruction.org

The Houston Food Bank is the largest source of free and low-cost food for hungry people in 18 southeast Texas counties. A network of more than 400 charities, feeding a total of 137,000 people each week, receives more than 46 million pounds of food and prepared meals annually. Fresh produce, meat and nonperishables are distributed from Herzstein Center, a 73,000 square-foot warehouse, and hot meals are prepared and distributed from Keegan Center, a 15,000 square-foot industrial kitchen. Additional community services range from nutrition education to assistance with food stamp applications and hands-on job training. Red Barrels offer a convenient way for grocery shoppers to donate nonperishables for their neighbors in need. The Houston Food Bank, founded in 1982, is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. The organization plans to grow to an annual distribution of 120 million pounds of food by 2018.

www.houstonfoodbank.org

There are many organizations that are involved in Canstruction either locally, nationally, or both. Below are the 2 that are most involved locally.

• Society for Design Administration
• American Institute of Architects