Students at Tuxedo Park School celebrate their “Canstruction” project which was donated to the Sloatsburg UMC Food Pantry.

There are many different ways helping hands reach out and assist the local food pantry. Whether it’s a food drop off at the Sloatsburg Library, the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce’s Have A Heart drive or through the giving of local businesses, such as Hayward’s Deli along Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg.

This past month, students at Tuxedo Park School rallied around and collected more than 500 cans to create a 3D “Canstruction” installation that was displayed at the school throughout most of November and December. Kids from every grade joined together to build two free-standing sculptures at the two entrances for visitors to enjoy.

“I had seen canstructions being completed over a decade ago but most of them were always through larger corporations with bigger spaces and more of a pull with the outside community to donate,” said Megan Sweeney, Head of Art Programs at Tuxedo Park School, who wanted to do something on the local level.

Canstruction is an organization that works on education through the creativity of art and community, hosting competitions, exhibitions and events showcasing colossal structures made entirely out of cans of food. Since opening in 1992, Canstruction has donated over 21 million pounds of food to communities across the world.

In one wing, the Middle and Primary students created a Campbell’s soup can, and at the other, Upper and Primary School students constructed an American Flag of beans, soup and vegetables.

Sweeney said the “Canstruction” project unexpectedly harnessed the competitive spirit of Tuxedo Park students.

“The minute we told students and families that once the canstructions were to be removed, the cans would be donated to local food pantries, it really upped the participation,” said Sweeney. “Everyone loves being able to give back and it definitely changed the perspective of students. Being able to make a difference to local families changed this from being a creative project to a larger endeavor.

The “Canstruction” was being disassembled this week and readied for distribution for the holidays to the Sloatsburg UMC Food Pantry. Food Pantry Director Susan Meyers was all smiles about the Tuxedo Park School project during the Pantry’s Thanksgiving effort. She said she was amazed at the students’ growing project and total school effort involved.

“Letting the students have their own voice in the collection of the cans, the choices as to which sculptures to build and then being able to stand back and say they did it is what makes this project so special,” said Megan Sweeney.

The Sloatsburg UMC Food Pantry is located in the basement of The United Methodist Church in Sloatsburg, New York. The pantry helps assist local families in the Northern Ramapo and Sloatsburg areas, providing temporary assistance to struggling families. 

Photos courtesy of Tuxedo Park School.