SMPS hosts CANstruction competition to benefit food banks

The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Long Island recently hosted the fourth annual CANstruction Long Island competition. Teams from Long Island's leading architectural, engineering and construction firms built impressive structures made entirely of canned foods. The competition benefits Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Food Bank. To date, SMPS Long Island has donated over 143,014 cans of food and thousands of dollars to help feed the 320,000 Long Islanders who face hunger on a daily basis. 19 firms and 12 teams participated in this year's competition. A total of 41,140 cans were used to create the structures that were on view at RXR Plaza. "It's very rewarding to know that these cans will provide more than 28,000 meals to Long Islanders in need. CANstruction's goal is to raise awareness of the issues surrounding hunger with a simple message; one person can make a difference, said Tracy Lobdell, director of special events for the Society of Marketing Professional Services, Long Island chapter. Jurors' Favorite and Structural Ingenuity were among the eight categories of structures that received recognition. Judges included government officials from Nassau and Suffolk Counties as well as publishing executives from leading industry publications. Many corporate sponsors also generously support CANstruction. "We are once again proud to host this important creative and worthwhile fundraising initiative at RXR Plaza. The CANstruction competition has traditionally achieved great success in bringing together Long Island's best design/build professionals to raise awareness for hunger among Long Island's underserved communities. We support the Long Island Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services in the production of this event, and their efforts to spread the message that 'It all starts with one can. To feed the hungry. To lift the spirit. To change the world'," said Scott Rechler, chairman and CEO RXR Realty.