The Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation invites K-12 and college students and organized student groups in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to participate in a creative and impactful project to help reduce food insecurity across the North Country.
Canstruction for Northern New York is a group activity to encourage students to team up and construct a fun, themed structure of donated canned food and other nonperishable food items or hygiene products to support a local food pantry or backpack program of your choice!
Below are the winning entries from the 2025 and 2024 Canstruction competitions that the Foundation’s LEAD Council held. Far left: Carthage Middle School’s Builders Club & Student Government 2025 entry “Let Your Love Flow” was the “People’s Choice Award” winner and also won the “Top Collection Award” with 3,219 canned goods and other nonperishable items collected. Middle, left: South Jefferson’s Junior National Honor Society won the 2025 “Best Design Award” for its “canstruction” of “Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes.” Middle, right: Indian River Central School’s 2024 entry “Diversity” was the “People’s Choice Award” winner and also won the “Top Collection Award” with more than 2,600 canned goods and other nonperishable items collected. Far right: Canton Central’s Banford Elementary School won the 2024 “Best Design Award” for its “canstruction” of “We CAN build our ABCs.”
To enlarge, click on a single image in the gallery and then click on the image again.
Why is Canstruction for Northern New York important?
- It is an excellent opportunity to support local residents with essential needs.
- Canstruction instills philanthropic values in students who want to give back.
- The competition builds school spirit around a difference-making project.
- Students compete to win grant awards for another nonprofit they care about most.
What are the rules?
- All projects must be submitted by Thursday, April 2.
- A sample project calendar is included in the Canstruction guidelines, which may be downloaded below.
- Don’t forget to select a local food pantry or backpack program to receive team donations.
Yes, there are awards, too!
Three $500 grant awards will be decided in the following categories:
- Top Collection Award (most items donated/collected)
- Best Design Award
- People’s Choice Award (Online vote)
Each winning team will then distribute its $500 grant award to a local nonprofit organization — federally classified 501(c)3 — serving Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Contact Emily Pfeil Community Foundation philanthropy associate, at emily@nnycf.org to learn more. Good luck!
Register for the 2026 competition
Registration for the 2026 Canstruction competition is CLOSED. Projects must be submitted by Thursday, April 2 for judging.