Kearny Canstruction

Kearny High School's Engineering Club announced the kickoff of the 5th annual Canstruction® food drive benefitting local food pantries. KHS students have accepted the challenge in this international charity competition. In building and donating exhibits constructed entirely of cans of food, we learn the value of teamwork and compassion. Your support is needed to make this educational and community service project a reality. Help make CANstruction 2016 bigger and better than ever.

The Engineering students work under the direction of co-advisors and teachers, Mrs. Melody LaRossa and Mr. Charles Polk. Together, we solicit donations to purchase thousands of specific cans that are used in the construction of large-scale themed sculptures. Students apply skills in engineering, logistics, art, architecture, 3D computer design, and budgeting to design and build the cansculptures®. In 2015, more than 30,000 cans were used to create a fire truck, hydrant, extinguisher, and helmet to reflect the theme "Extinguish Hunger" in honor of the event's founder, Paul Rogers, a retired fireman in Kearny (see above picture). To view photos of past designs, please see the KHS Canstruction® group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kearnycanstruction. This year’s theme is a secret, but we know it will be our best work yet.

As the need continues to grow in town for individuals and families, the Spring 2016 Canstruction® goal has skyrocketed to tens of thousands of cans. All cans collected and used in the cansculptures® will be donated to local hunger relief organizations including: The Salvation Army, St. John's Soup Kitchen, Apostles' House & Shelter, and the food pantries at St. Cecilia's Church, St. Stephen's Church, and Kearny's First Presbyterian Church. We also added a new food pantry that opened recently at Grace United Methodist Church, the Kearny Community Food Pantry.





This year’s ambitious goals necessitate more community involvement. This year, Kearny Canstruction® welcomes new partners: Kearny PBA, Pathway of Independence, and Kearny’s Christian Youth Organization (CYO). Returning participants include Kearny FMBA and Rutgers-Newark University students and athletes. This year, Kearny’s CANstruction Headquarters is the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center on Belgrove Drive (the former Boystown property). Sponsors and the public will be invited to view the cansculptures® during and after the build, and have their group's name printed in the "Donation Hall of Fame" alongside the completed cansculptures®.

Canstruction® would NOT be possible without the generous donations and support from many local citizens, businesses, and civic organizations. Please consider donating money, non-perishable food cans, or your time to help transport cans before and after the build of the cansculptures®. Sponsors are displayed throughout the exhibit and on the back of the CANstruction T-shirts. Contact us at KearnyCANstruction@gmail.com to get involved. Please mail monetary donations (checks payable to “Kearny CANstruction”) to:

Kearny CANstruction
P.O. Box 351
Kearny NJ 07032

One can make a difference®. Thank you.