Tri-Cities communities unite to fight food insecurity through creative competition
First six eligible teams can receive a $650 credit toward canned food purchases through bulk purchasing program
Team registration is now open for the inaugural Tri-Cities Canstruction, a creative community competition that will transform thousands of cans of food into impressive works of art while helping fight hunger throughout the Fox Valley.
The event will bring together businesses, schools, nonprofits, civic organizations, architects, engineers, contractors, students, designers, and other creative groups to design and build large sculptures made entirely from canned food.
Following the competition, every can used in the structures will be donated to area food pantries selected by the participating teams.
The competition will take place in February 2027 at Waubonsee Community College’s Academic and Professional Center in Sugar Grove.
This year’s theme, “Harmony for Hunger,” invites teams to create structures inspired by music while working together to address food insecurity in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and the surrounding communities.
Waubonsee Community College has been a partner in bringing Tri-Cities Canstruction to life. In addition to hosting the competition, the college developed and launched the event website, which serves as the central resource for team registration, the official team guide, competition dates and rules, sponsorship opportunities, event updates, and information about supporting local food pantries.
“We are incredibly grateful to Waubonsee Community College for embracing this vision and helping us build the foundation for a successful regional event,” said Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and Tri-Cities Canstruction Co-chair. “Their partnership, expertise, and commitment to the community have been invaluable.”
Participating teams will use approximately 2,000 to 4,000 cans to construct their sculptures. Each team must work with an architect, engineer, designer, contractor, or builder to ensure its structure is properly planned and safely constructed.
Hollywood Casino Aurora is serving as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural event. Its support is helping bring the competition to the Tri-Cities community and advance its mission of raising awareness of food insecurity while providing much needed donations to local food pantries.
“We are incredibly grateful to Hollywood Casino Aurora for believing in this new community initiative and helping us bring it to life,” Perreault said. “Its support is helping us create a free, accessible event that brings people together through creativity, service, and a shared commitment to fighting hunger. We are also thrilled that word of this opportunity is spreading, with Grand Appliance and Target quickly jumping in to support the event and help fight hunger in our community.
To make participation more accessible, Northwestern Medicine has generously donated funding to provide the first six eligible registered teams with a $650 credit toward canned food purchased from Aldi or Woodman’s through the Tri-Cities Canstruction bulk purchasing program.
The credit is available only to teams that place their canned food orders through the program. Bulk ordering will help streamline the purchasing and delivery process. Additional purchasing details will be provided to teams when they inquire or register.
Organizer teams representing the Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Area chambers of commerce are not eligible for the credit, allowing more community businesses and organizations to benefit from the opportunity.
“We are tremendously grateful to Northwestern Medicine for helping additional teams participate,” said Paula Schmidt, president of the Geneva Chamber. “Its generosity will support the creativity of our teams and ultimately place even more food on the shelves of local food pantries.”
Building a structure is not the only way to participate. Individuals, businesses, and organizations can visit the Tri-Cities Canstruction website to select a team and food pantry they would like to support with a monetary donation.
Donations will be used toward the selected team’s build, and any unused funds will be donated directly to its designated food pantry.
Team spaces and Northwestern Medicine credits are limited, so interested groups are encouraged to register as soon as possible. To register a team, make a donation, explore sponsorship opportunities, or learn more, visit waubonsee.edu/CANStruction.
Tri-Cities Canstruction is more than a competition. It is an opportunity for co-workers, classmates, friends, and community organizations to combine imagination and teamwork, build something extraordinary, and help create a stronger, hunger-free community.
“Tri-Cities Canstruction is a wonderful example of what our communities can accomplish when we work together to combine creativity, compassion, and service,” said Carrie Schneider, executive director of the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce.
About Tri-Cities Canstruction
Tri-Cities Canstruction is a collaborative community initiative being brought to the region by the Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Area chambers of commerce. The project brings together the Tri-Cities communities to raise awareness of food insecurity and collect canned food for area food pantries.
Teams design and construct large sculptures made entirely from canned food, combining art, engineering, teamwork, and community service. Every can used in the competition is donated following the event. Follow Tri-Cities Canstuction on Facebook or Instagram.