What once was a part of an engineering and architecture design project, will become a source of food to hungry West Texans. The West Texas Food Bank will once again collaborate with the West Texas chapter of the American Institute of Architects to host CANtribute — a design-based food drive.
The project involves students from Midland High School who are enrolled in a problem solving/engineering class. The students have been working closely with local architects to design sculptures that are made from canned foods. The students chose the theme of transportation and have been using 3D programs to design 5 sculptures that range from a motorcycle to an airplane.
Midland High School students will be building their structures from approximately 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 4, at Midland Park Mall in the Dillard’s court area.
There will be donation barrels set up at both locations for those who wish to stop by and support the cause by donating canned food products.
The donation of canned goods comes at an ideal time for the WTFB as the number of food drives traditionally slows down in the summer and the need for food increases. This year the WTFB has seen a dramatic increase.
“We are so excited to bring back this partnership with our local architecture firms,” said Libby Campbell, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank, in a press release. “This event has several different impacts within our community like being able to use something as simple as a can of green beans to help create an interest within STEM learning and be able to provide meals to our hungry neighbors is truly special. We want to thank all of those who are helping to support the CANtribute project.”
The West Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit, non-governmental hunger relief organization that distributes donated and purchased food through a network of over 100 Partner Agencies in 19 counties throughout West Texas. The WTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families, and senior citizens through strategic partnerships with civic and corporate groups, as well as private donors. For every 5 dollars donated, WTFB can provide ten nutritious meals for our neighbors in need.
Founded in 1985, the WTFB is a member of Feeding America (feedingamerica.org), the nation’s largest network of hunger relief organizations. In 2022, over 13 million pounds of food was distributed to hungry West Texas.
