The United Way of Mid Rural New York is hosting ‘United is the Way Canned Structure Event and Competition,’ where teams create large structures made entirely from canned goods and other non-perishable food items for a good cause. Find the Sign-up form on Page 2 of Thursday’s Evening Sun. (Submitteed photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY- The United Way of Mid Rural New York is now announcing its first  'United is the Way Canned Structure Event and Competition.'

Canned structures is a design and build competition where teams create large structures made entirely from canned goods and other non-perishable food items.

The competition showcases creativity, engineering, and teamwork—while raising awareness about hunger. The structures are built on-site at the corporation, school, community group, or organization participating in the challenge. After the competition, all food used in the competition is donated to local food pantries or hunger related organizations.

  Teams may represent corporations, architecture/engineering firms, schools, community groups, or other organizations. Each team must designate a Team Captain (primary contact) and a Structure Designer (responsible for structure planning and designing). Teams may then have up to ten additional team members.

  Team Registration Forms must be submitted to the United Way of Mid Rural New York by November 15, 2025.   The Canned Structure build must occur between November 1 and November 30, 2025 and be completed fully by November 30, 2025.

A photo of the structure and a count of the number of food items used in the structure must be submitted to the United Way on completion of the build (on or before November 30).  Judging by representatives from the United Way will occur during the week of December 1-5, 2025.

The corporation/organization is responsible for delivering all of the cans/food to a local food pantry/hunger organization at a time convenient for the pantry/hunger organization, once the judging is completed.

Check the form on Page 2 of todays Evening Sun for a fillable registration form for your team, if you choose to participate.

Once completed, you can email the form to Kyli at  kyli@uwmrny.org. All forms must be received by 11/15 to qualify for entry.

- Information from Elizabeth Monaco, Executive Director of United Way of Mid Rural New York