An exhibit made up of food: Canstruction returns to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Canstruction exhibit is back in Milwaukee. The exhibit showcasing incredible structures made of canned goods. The homebase this year is at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Canstruction is also a competition where teams of local architects and engineers create sculptures from canned and nonperishable food items.

"The theme this year is 'can you dig it,'" said architect Heather Balistrieri.

Balistrieri and her team's structure was recognized for its ingenuity.

"We have different types of potatoes, Manwich, we have cans of chicken broth," said Balistrieri.

A dozen teams competed this year for several titles. Each team used at least 1,000 cans of non-perishable foods. All those cans will be donated to the Jewish Community Center Food Pantry.

"All of this food is going to be served to our community and those who are in need, those who are struggling with having that security of their next meal," said Mark Shapiro, President/CEO of Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.

This year's Canstruction exhibit is expected to collect around 35-thousand food items.

Ali Kopyt, an organizer of the event, said the need has gotten greater here in Milwaukee.

"Working with the Jewish Community Pantry, they are seeing an increase of almost 30% of the need for their patrons at the pantry," said Kopyt.

On Thursday, all the builders were recognized for their work. The challenge also required the teams to build their structures in a couple of hours. Balistrieri said the cause made it all worthwhile.

"It speaks to everybody in every community so we're happy to be a part of it," said Balistrieri.

When the exhibition ends, the sculptures will be disassembled, and the food items used will be donated to the Jewish Community Pantry, a resource that has provided food to residents facing food insecurity in Milwaukee for nearly 50 years.

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