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PensaCan is a creative competition where anyone can assemble a build team to create impressive structures made entirely out of full cans of food. After a week-long display of the structures, all food is donated to feed the hungry. The event is presented by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Northwest Florida, hosted by Cordova Mall, and benefits the individuals and families served by Manna Food Pantries.

 

Community members can get involved by registering a build team at www.mannahelps.org/events/pensacan

on or before September 10. Build teams can be made up of architectural or engineering firms, businesses, clubs, local organizations, students, and more. It is a great opportunity for team-building, expressing creativity, and giving back to your community.

 

Most structures are built at Cordova Mall, in the common area between Dillard’s and Ross stores. However, structures may also be built off-site, such as in an office, and submitted as a digital entry. Registration is still necessary for digital/off-site builds. Digital and off-site build images are due by September 10.

 

After the structures are built, a panel of local celebrity judges will vote in categories such as Best Graphics, Best Logo Sculpture, Best Nutrition, Best Structural Ingenuity, and more. The public is invited to participate in People’s Choice Award voting October 2nd – 9th.

 

Event sponsorship is also available. Sponsorship Tiers begin at $200 (equivalent to providing 120 nutritious meals for our hungry neighbors in need) and go up to $1,000 (equivalent to providing 600 healthy meals). PensaCan sponsors can choose to designate their sponsorship toward a single build team or the event overall. All sponsorship levels include (at minimum) recognition on event signage, which will be displayed in Cordova Mall from October 2nd – 9th, and on Manna’s event webpage.