"It's a breath of artistic fresh
air," said Sherii Sherban, of Scene Magazine. "I don't know of any event
that quite matches this one for sheer fun!"
Each participating group creates a sculpture, using at least 600
units of non-perishable food. At the end of the Exhibit, all the food
goes to the Food Bank which passes it along to its hunger-relief
network. Last year's event netted over 12,000 lbs. of food.
"The cause is a great one," agreed Dawn Harmon, of Lakeview Square
Mall. "It's really heartening to see neighbors pitching in to help
neighbors, especially in tough economic times." The Mall has hosted the
event since its inception.
Sherban noted that 72% of the households served by the Food Bank are
living below the poverty line. 81% of the households served with
children are classified as being food insecure, according to USDA
guidelines. "Given this reality, it's not surprising that 39 percent of
the individuals the Food Bank serves are children."
This year's Canned Sculpture Exhibit participating groups include:
American Federation of Government Employees Local
#1626/Hart-Doyle-Inouye Federal Center, Glowing Embers Girl Scouts #207,
#208, #270, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #445,
Kellogg Community College Tech Club, Kraft Foods Post Division, Lakeview
Square Mall/General Growth Properties, Consumers Energy/Utility Workers
Union of America Local #106 and Westlake Presbyterian Youth Group.
"It's such an eclectic group of folks," said Sherban. "That's one of
the reasons why Scene Magazine looks forward to being part of the Canned
Sculpture Exhibit each year. It's for a great cause, taking place in one
of the most heavily trafficked places in Calhoun County, and families in
need are being helped."
The Food Bank of South Central Michigan is a United Way delivery
partner, and is a member of America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food
Bank Network, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan.