U CAN! is a competition of teams building sculptures with cans of food. The Camden Area Christian Food Pantry is hosting this exciting event as part of Camden Windjammer Festival on Friday August 31 in Camden’s Amphitheater.

The competition will be among 10 local teams who will build maritime theme sculptures from cans of food at the Amphitheater. Thanks to Cellardoor Winery for sponsoring 5 youth teams. Other sponsors are Youngtown Inn, The First, West Bay Rotary, French and Brawn, Congregational Church Outreach Committee, Camden National Bank employees, Chestnut Street Baptist Men’s Group, Adventure Advertising, Ben Leavitt Blacksmith, Rockport Mechanical, and Allen Insurance. Casella Waste Management Company recently donated over 500 cans of food to the pantry to be used by U CAN! teams. Thanks to Phi Home Designs for creating many of the designs that the teams will build.

U CAN! is an event designed to collect food and raise money as well as awareness of the food insecurity issue in mid-coast Maine. The pantry currently serves more than 1,100 people per month. This exponential growth in clients from just a few years ago, combined with the high cost of food, is challenging the sustainability of the pantry. As the cost of running the pantry is kept low with its all-volunteer staff, U CAN! donations of money and food will directly benefit pantry clients.

Awards will be given to the best sculptures and you can be a part of the judging. Building will begin at 9 am and completed by 1:30 pm. You can vote any time for your favorite! Official judging will be at 2 pm and trophies, welded out of empty food cans, will be given to the best contenders.

For more information about U CAN! or the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry, please contact Jane Bennett at 236-9790 or camdenpantry@gmail.com.