For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s South Wood County Hunger Coalition will be hosting its fifth annual “United We Can” food sculpture contest June 14, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Witter Field.

During United We Can, teams from around the community will create sculptures made entirely out of canned food – and other basic need items – donated by local businesses and friends.

Food sculptures will continue to be displayed during the Wisconsin Rapids Rafter’s game against the Green Bay Bullfrogs, starting at 7:05 p.m.  Fans are encouraged to bring along non-perishable food items and will be entered in drawings for prizes between innings.

Each food item donated is eligible for an entry in the prize drawings.  There will also be a number of interactive activities between innings for attendees to learn more about the food insecurities that many in our community face.

A team of judges will award prizes for the “Most Nutritious” and “Most Creative” sculptures.  A “Community Choice Award” will be chosen by those in attendance at the Rafter’s game, and awarded the traveling trophy.   Afterwards the Hunger Coalition will distribute the collected items to area food programs.  In 2016, the event collected 6,000 pounds of food.

This year, teams include:  Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Domtar, ERCO Worldwide, North Central Community Action Program / The Boys and Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area, Paper City Savings Bank and Solarus.

In 2016, the winners were:  Most Creative – Aspirus Riverview Hospital; Most Nutritious – Ocean Spray; and Community Choice Award – ERCO Worldwide.

“United We Can helps build awareness around hunger and food insecurities in our community,” said Emily Stieve, United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Community Impact Director.  “It’s an evening of cheering on the Rafters and working together to strike out hunger.”