Build team registrations and sponsorships are being accepted now through September 4 for PensaCAN 2025 – an event led by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Northwest to fight hunger in our community. This year, PensaCAN will take place from October 3 to October 10 at Cordova Mall. Teams are strongly encouraged to register now as soon as possible.
PensaCAN is a competition where architectural firms and local community amateur groups create impressive structures made entirely out of full cans of food that, following a week-long display, are then donated to Manna to feed hungry neighbors in Northwest Florida. Businesses, civic clubs, organizations, schools, or any other group are welcome to register for PensaCAN 2025. Build teams are encouraged to design food structures for display on-site at Cordova Mall; however, off-site locations, such as offices, are also acceptable. Digital designs are welcome, too. Digital and off-site build images are due by September 4.
Sponsorship tiers start at $200 (equivalent to providing 120 healthy meals for neighbors in need) and go up to $1,000 (equivalent to providing 600 healthy meals for neighbors in need). PensaCAN sponsors can choose to designate their sponsorship toward a single build team or the event as a whole. All sponsorship levels include (at minimum) recognition on event signage (displayed throughout Cordova Mall, October 3-10) and Manna’s event webpage.
A panel of judges will vote on the structures on Friday, October 3, in categories such as Best Nutrition Award, Best Graphics Award, Structural Ingenuity Award, and more. Additionally, People’s Choice Award votes will be accepted online at www.mannahelps.org from October 3 to October 10.
To register, for more information, or to sponsor, please visit: www.mannahelps.org/events/pensacan.
About Manna
Manna’s mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food-related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger. A local grassroots organization with no national affiliation or government funding, Manna provided food to 67,427 people last year. Manna operates an emergency food assistance pantry and 18 food security programs with 25 community partners in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
About AIA Florida Northwest
AIA Florida Northwest strives to provide members with services, activities, and knowledge delivery to assist in maintaining the high standard of the architectural profession while encouraging public awareness and appreciation for architecture. For more information about AIA Florida Northwest, please visit www.aianwfl.com
