Editor's note: Canstruction, Inc. was established in 1992 by Cheri Melillo and her SDA colleagues with a vision to bring together the design, engineering, and construction industries through a unique and fun medium that would provide canned food to hunger relief organizations.

Cheri's dedication to Canstruction led to her being named an Honorary Member of the AIA in 2000, and in 2009, on behalf of Canstruction, she accepted the Creativity of the Mind Award from "The Odyssey of the Mind" and a Public Service award from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). Cheri's leadership as volunteer President and Executive Director of Canstruction lasted 17 years until her passing in December 2009.

If you want to learn more about Canstruction visit their website at https://www.canstruction.org/. Make a tax-deductible donation to Canstruct a World Without Hunger here.

The Empire of Canstruction®: How an SDA Member Brought the Force Against Hunger

May the 4th be with you! Like a Jedi mind trick, I can't help but think of the incredible Star Wars-themed sculptures that have graced Canstruction competitions over the past 31 years. While many are familiar Empire of Canstruction events, the origins of the Rebel Alliance with SDA may be lost on our younger Padawans, so let's give it some laser focus.

Canstruction® is a non-profit organization that aims to fight hunger in local communities by fostering friendly competition among architects, engineers, construction firms, and students. Founded in 1992 by SDA member Cheri Melillo, Canstruction combines the design and construction community to create giant sculptures made entirely from canned food. These sculptures are then put on display as a public art exhibition to raise awareness about the issue of hunger. At the end of the exhibition, all the canned food used to build the sculptures is donated to local food banks. Since its inception, Canstruction has donated over 82 million pounds of food to communities worldwide.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canstruction had become one of the largest internationally recognized food drives of its kind, with competitions held in over 150 cities worldwide. Canstruction operates in various countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, providing an opportunity for architecture and engineering firms, construction companies, K-12 schools, and universities to collaborate and fight hunger in their local communities.

Today SDA remains an official supporter of Canstruction. SDA Chapters across the country host or support events in their areas. SDA awards membership to SDA through its Canstruct a Member program. The results of the Annual Canstruction International Design Competition are featured at SDA's EDSymposium and an SDA member has a seat on the Canstruction board. 

Canstruction provides a unique opportunity for designers and builders to showcase their creativity while making a positive impact on their communities. With its continued growth and success, Canstruction will make an even bigger difference in the fight against hunger in the years to come.