For the City Times

United Way of Inner Wisconsin and the South Wood County Hunger Coalition are proud to announce the winners of the 2016 “United We Can” Food Sculpture Contest.  This year’s award recipients include:

Aspirus Riverview Hospital took the “Most Creative” award with their “Being Hungry Makes You Crabby!” sculpture. (Contributed Photo)

• Most Creative: Aspirus Riverview Hospital and their “Being Hungry Makes You Crabby!” sculpture
• Most Nutritious:  Ocean Spray and their “Fork Lift” sculpture
• Community Choice Award:  ERCO Worldwide and their “Snoopy” sculpture

“But the real winners are our local food programs and the people they serve,” said Stefanie Drexler, Director of Office Operations at United Way of Inner Wisconsin and coordinator of the event.  “Thanks to last night’s competition, we were able to leverage 6,000 pounds of food for local food programs.  These food donations will feed many families for a long time.  We were also able to educate the community about hunger issues that are happening right here in our community.”

Ocean Spray won the “Most Nutritious” Award with their sculpture of a Fork Lift. (Contributed Photo)

This year there were eight teams competing:  Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Central Wisconsin Literacy Council, ERCO Worldwide, Grace Lutheran Church, Ocean Spray, Solarus, The Family Center (with help from volunteers from ODC) and United Way’s 2-1-1.  Teams worked on their sculptures at Witter Field on June 15^th from 10am – 4pm; then during the Rafter’s game, spectators were able to view the sculptures and vote for their favorite.  Photos of last night’s sculptures can be viewed on our Facebook Page (a link can be found on our website uwiw.org).

Food that was collected was distributed to:  Christian Life Fellowship Food Pantry, Rapids Family Backpacks, South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf, The Family Center Shelter Pantry, and The Neighborhood Table.