News

Pensacola, FL (November 9, 2020) – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Northwest will partner with Manna again this year for PensaCan: Demolish Hunger, Design Hope. When held during normal times, it is a competition where architectural firms and community amateurs create impressive structures made entirely out of full cans of food. Following a week-long display of the structures and voting, all food is then donated to Manna for distribution to the hungry of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the event has been adapted.

 

This year, event participants had the option to create a digital build utilizing architecture/modeling software or a physical build in their office space. Though physical builds are not on display as usual, posters highlighting each participant’s build are on display at Cordova Mall – A Simon Mall through November 13.

 

“We are excited to again be a part of PensaCan,” said Joeey Poitevin, Bullock Tice Associates Project Architect and AIA Florida Northwest Board President. “Member architects of AIA Florida Northwest are passionate about giving back to our community. And even though it looks a little different this year, PensaCan still gives us the opportunity to use our skillset to support an important local issue: hunger.”

 

Through donations of food and financial gifts, PensaCan events have provided more than 30,000 healthy meals for neighbors in need.

 

PensaCan 2020 judging looks different too. Judges have viewed all participant submissions online and submitted votes digitally in the following categories: Best Meal Award, Best Use of Labels Award, Structural Ingenuity Award, Juror’s Favorite Award, Honorable Mention, and Best Video. Judges are Julie-Anne Rispoli, MPT, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Ascension Sacred Heart, and Klio, Sacred Paws Facility Dog in Pediatric Rehab; Manna Board Member and Grocery Advantage Co-owner Hank Carlstrom; Hanto & Clarke General Contractors Co-founder Don Hanto; Manna Board Member and Cat Country 98.7’s Brent Lane; and Pensacola Police Department Chief Tommi Lyter.

 

The public may vote for the People’s Choice Award through November 13 at www.mannahelps.org.

 

Participating teams include DAG Architects, Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture, Gulf Winds Credit Union, and STOA Architects.

 

DAG Architects, Gulf Winds Credit Union, Pennoni, STOA Architects, Russell Construction, Hanto & Clarke General Contractors, and HG Engineers are the 2020 lead sponsors.

 

For more event information, please visit www.mannahelps.org.

 

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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 19,499 people last year. Manna operates a network of three emergency food distribution pantries and nine specialty programs with 10 community partners in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. For more information, please visit www.mannahelps.org.

 

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.