Last April, employees, students, and church members of four businesses, two universities, and one church gathered at Washington Square Mall to create sculptures from thousands of food cans stacked to resemble a soup bowl, pyramid, wind turbine, clown fish, hydroplane boat, and Star Wars’ robotic character, R2-D2. Some displays climbed nearly eight feet high.
After four days and numerous visitors, teams dismantled the sculptures, and the cans went to the Tri-State Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that distributes food to 250 area food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, abuse centers, and other programs. The event raised $24,000 in cash donations and canned food.
That was the first year for Canstruction, a food drive from the American Institute of Architects of Southern Indiana and Altrusa International Club of Evansville. The latter is part of a civic-service network — Altrusa International, which has more than 300 chapters worldwide. The Evansville club has 38 dedicated women, and Canstruction is one example of the numerous projects Altrusa has provided the Tri-State for decades. The event returns to Washington Square Mall on April 9-12.
Though Canstruction supported the Tri-State Food Bank, Evansville’s Altrusa helps several areas of need, including homelessness, education, and disease prevention. For the last decade, the group has given birthday gifts to every client served by Meals on Wheels (more than 300).
For children in emergency shelters and residential service programs, Altrusa members have donated suitcases, backpacks, and duffels, filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, books, and puzzles. They’ve given 72,000 books to children in childcare facilities. The group has provided high school students with SAT and ACT study materials. Now serving the community for the 41st year, Altrusa shows small projects — an average of six a year — can have a big effect.
