In a competition of seven Rowan clubs and organizations, Rowan’s campus food pantry, The SHOP, won the day after receiving 562 donations after all CANstructions were deconstructed.

CANstruction is a Homecoming competition hosted by the Student Centers & Campus Activities (SCCA), where teams can sign up to build sculptures that represent the year’s theme, decorations, and even how they color it. Groups could bring in cans, pasta, single-serving snacks, and toiletries; they could collect or purchase them, with up to $100 being reimbursed afterward. Six judges in total walked around, three to decide that day’s winner, and three judges for spirit points, and at the end, all sculptures are broken down in shopping carts and donated right to The SHOP.

“I hope the students ultimately have fun with what they’re doing, but also remember that this is for a good cause, because this is one of the events that represents donating to others,” said Devon Ellixson, graduate coordinator for Facilities and Operations at the SCCA. “…have fun with it, but also know that this [CANstruction] is supporting a good thing.” 

Pop music filled the backyard of The SHOP as members of groups trickled in after getting their donations approved for the competition. Groups made structures inspired by their clubs, the “soaring” theme, and used most of their time down to the last minute. 

Amongst the seven groups was the Rowan Badminton, a group of four who used all of the allotted hour to build. Using cans, pasta, and construction paper to decorate and represent what they thought showed their club and the theme the most – a design they came already practiced.

“Me, my secretary, Dylan, and one of our club members, Jason, all three of us went on a little shopping spree,” said Medha Debral, 21, president of Rowan Badminton. “We were literally on the floor building this in the aisle with customers walking by us, like workers walking by us, and they didn’t say anything, and we were just explaining, ‘Oh, we’re doing it for a good cause, trust me.’ And here we are today.”

Other groups that came out to show their support of The SHOP didn’t even know there was a competition. 

“I’m just glad we came and participated. I just thought we were bringing cans, and then I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re building something, that’s fun actually,” said Dawly Hernandez, 23, senator of First-Gen Rowan Students Thriving. “I just love, like, experiencing and getting more, being part of more campus life. So I’m just happy and having fun to be here

A theme that spanned many of the groups was the sentiment of giving back to The SHOP. Several students use the food pantry or have friends and members who use it regularly. 

“We came out to first donate cans to the shop. So college students can have free food, free options. I used to shop a good amount,” said Isaiah Yeldell, 21, head of volunteerism in First-Gen Rowan Students Thriving. “My roommate used to shop a good amount – we wake up in the morning and come here. So it was a good thing, like, to come back and donate.”

A smaller group that came out to donate and show support was the Ballroom Club. Julieann Wattley, 22, president, and Rylee Null, 21, vice president, constructed a “small but mighty” tower out of their 19 donation items.

“We’ve done homecoming the past two years. I’ve done homecoming myself the past three. This is our first time in a while doing CANstruction,” said Wattley. “I love giving back to the community. Rowan Ballroom loves giving back to the community. We’re very big with community, helping out, being there, supporting it’s just our message – that and dance, of course, share the love of dance.” 

When time was up, judges walked around marking score sheets and handing them in, though the winner wouldn’t be announced until Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Homecoming football game. Participants were confident in their structures, but were more than happy about donating and getting outside on a hot day in October. 

“Honestly, we just wanted a reason to bond outside of just club meetings. We wanted to do something fun, and, you know, do something related to teamwork and be able to do something that’s super fun, but also just for a good cause of helping out the shop and the pantry in general,” said Debral. “I wish the best of luck to all the teams involved, because it doesn’t matter who wins or loses. It just matters that we’re all having fun with Rowan pride.”

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