For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The South Wood County Hunger Coalition’s United We Can Committee is currently recruiting teams to compete in its seventh annual “Strike Out Hunger” United We Can Food Sculpture Contest.

During the contest, teams from around the community create sculptures made entirely out of canned food and other basic need items donated by the community.  After the event, the Hunger Coalition will distribute the collected items to area food programs.

Construction for United We Can will be June 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Witter Field.  Food sculptures will be on display during the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters game against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders starting at 7:05 p.m.  Each team will receive four complimentary tickets to the game.

Food sculptures will be judged, with awards for “Most Nutritious” and “Most Creative.” Game attendees will have a chance to vote on their favorite sculptures for the “Community Choice Award.”

Teams can build any kind of structure – it can be as simple as a logo or it can be ornate.  The sculpture must fit in a 10 foot x 10 foot space; and props may be used but 50 percent of the sculpture must be comprised of canned food items.  Canned food items can be collected from a food drive or purchased with a corporate donation.

Teams can compete in the “Major League” – estimating using over 500 items – or the “Minor League” – estimating using less than 500 items.

To register, contact Stefanie Drexler at stefanie@uwswac.org or Jodi Friday at jodi@uwswac.org.  For more information, call 715-421-0390 or visit www.uwswac.org.