Midland Schools to Build Canned Food Sculptures
Seven Midland schools will compete in a Canstruction event that also raises awareness of food insecurity in Midland County.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you think Midland County does enough to address food insecurity?
Midland Public Schools students will build sculptures from canned food during the Canstruction event on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the food distributed through the Midland County Food Assistance Network. The event is held in partnership with the network to stock local food pantries before Thanksgiving.
Why it matters
The event draws attention to food insecurity in Midland County, where about 13.7% of residents, or 12,540 people, face it. Donated food from the sculptures is intended to help stock pantries ahead of the holiday season.
The event will use about 10,000 cans to build sculptures of 7 feet by 7 feet by 7 feet, with seven schools participating. Roughly 38% of Midland County residents facing food insecurity have incomes above typical SNAP eligibility thresholds, and final collection totals have not yet been reported.
The players
Midland County Food Assistance Network
A local organization that distributes food to residents facing hunger in Midland County and partners with the Canstruction event.
Midland Public Schools
The public school district whose students are building the canned food sculptures for the event.
The details
Students from four high schools and three middle schools will build sculptures from canned food using artistic and STEM principles. This year's theme is "Building Our Community," and visitors can vote for their favorite design with a $1 donation that benefits the food assistance network.
Timeline
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Students build sculptures from canned food.
Nov. 4, 2:30 p.m.: Technical awards presented in the center court area.
Saturday, Nov. 7: Sculptures remain on display.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m.: People's Choice winner announced, followed by deconstruction.
Philanthropy Context
The Midland event follows the Canstruction format, which pairs a design competition with food donation to local pantries. Using student teams extends that model into schools, where the building work doubles as STEM instruction tied to local hunger relief.
Residents who want to support the effort can attend the Nov. 4 build or vote for a favorite design with a $1 donation. Visitors can view the sculptures on display through Saturday, Nov. 7.
The takeaway
Small donations and community participation can directly stock local pantries before the holidays. Readers can support neighborhood food access by contributing time or cans to local networks.
What happens next
The People's Choice winner will be announced at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, after which the sculptures will be deconstructed.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how local charitable drives like this one fit into broader giving trends.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Midland Daily News.
Live Poll
Do you think Midland County does enough to address food insecurity?
