CANtastic is back to ‘Help Hunger Take a Holiday’

The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry (RAFP) is looking for interested groups (churches, schools, businesses, clubs, etc.) to participate in the 2024 CANtastic event. 

In a press release issued earlier this month, RAFP invited/challenged community members and groups to form a team and design and build a structure out of food. Competing teams will use canned and or boxed food to build their structure based on the 2024 theme: Help Hunger Take a Holiday (any holiday).

Team creations will be on display at the Rhinelander Walmart store for public viewing and voting and judged on criteria including creativity, use of color, etc.  Prizes will be awarded for Judges’ Choice, People’s Choice and Most 'cans’ Used Based on the theme.  After being on display for two weeks, all food used in the structures will be donated to the RAFP for distribution to area families in need.

Build Day will be Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. Interested groups can start now. Form and register you team with RAFP. Select your structure and determine needed materials (color, size, quantities, etc.). Obtain sponsors. Gather building material through donations, food drives and food discounts during the holidays.

Past teams as diverse as Associated Bank, WJFW, Calvary Baptist Church, Pelican School second grade have built creations such as a plow truck, a frog, a Mister Potato Head and the Lincoln Memorial.  

Note: A CANtastic sponsor will provide $100 in “seed money” to get your team started, if desired.

More information, guidance and registration forms are at rhinelanderareafoodpantry.org or at The Food Pantry, 726 Coon St, any week-day morning. 

You may also contact Guy Hansen at 715-282-5810 ([email protected]) or Bill Vancos at 715-360-0400 ([email protected]).