For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS– You can help the United Way of Inner Wisconsin and the South Wood County Hunger Coalition strike out hunger during the sixth annual UNITED WE CAN on June 7.

UNITED WE CAN is a food sculpture contest. Teams made up of local businesses and organizations collect food or basic need items and construct food sculptures, which will be on display during the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters game against the Battle Creek Bombers at 7:05 p.m.

Following the event, all food items are distributed to area food programs. Last year’s event leveraged 6,000 pounds; since UNITED WE CAN began in 2013, this event has collected over 32,000 pounds of food for local food programs.

This year’s participating teams include: Major League – building with 500 or more items – Aspirus, Domtar, ERCO Worldwide, and Love, Inc. sponsored by Duncan Disability Law; Minor League – building with less than 500 items – Daly Drug, East Ambassadors, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Grace Lutheran Church, Howe Elementary School “Fuel Up,” sponsored by Esquire Muffler and Sparhawk Trucking, ODC, sponsored by The Family Center, River Cities Bank, and Solarus.

The public can get involved by watching the teams construct their masterpieces at Witter Field on June 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., attending the Rafters game at 7:05 p.m. and bringing a non-perishable food item to be donated to local food programs, and donating cash during the “Miracle Minute” between the second and third innings.

During the Rafters game, judges will select the “Most Creative” and “Most Nutritious” sculptures, and attendees will vote on “The Community Choice Award” for each league.