Dallas, September 4, 2025
News Summary
The CANstruction Dallas competition is currently on display at NorthPark Center, featuring 26 large-scale science-fiction-themed sculptures created from canned food. Visitors can enjoy the exhibition for free and participate in voting through donations, where every $5 counts as a vote and provides meals for those in need. This event not only showcases local architectural talent but also focuses on raising funds and awareness to benefit the North Texas Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts.
Dallas — The 29th annual CANstruction Dallas competition is on display at NorthPark Center from August 30 to September 14, 2025, featuring 26 science-fiction-themed sculptures built entirely from canned food and other non-perishable items to support the North Texas Food Bank.
Key details
The exhibition presents 26 large-scale sculptures created by teams from local architecture, engineering, design, and construction firms. The public can view the sculptures for free during mall hours and support the food bank by voting for favorites online. Voting is conducted through donations on the North Texas Food Bank website, with each $5 donation counting as one vote and providing an estimated 15 meals for families in need. The event is explicitly tied to hunger-relief efforts and will benefit the North Texas Food Bank’s operations and distribution network.
How voting and donations work
Visitors may cast votes by donating online; monetary contributions serve two purposes: they register votes in the competition and convert into meals through the food bank’s meal-equivalency calculations. Every $5 donation equals one vote and is estimated to provide 15 meals. Voting proceeds support the North Texas Food Bank’s distribution to partner pantries and community organizations across the region.
Participants and purpose
Teams representing local firms in architecture, engineering, design, and construction design and build the sculptures, combining creativity with food donation. The competition is intended to bring together the design and construction communities in a focused effort to supply food resources to those facing food insecurity. The CANstruction model pairs creative public engagement with concrete donations for hunger relief.
Impact and past results
Last year’s CANstruction Dallas raised more than $22,000 and collected nearly 123,000 pounds of canned goods, an amount equating to roughly 170,000 meals. Over nearly three decades, the event has supplied millions of food items through its partnership with the North Texas Food Bank. The North Texas Food Bank operates a network of more than 500 partner food pantries and community organizations that receive and distribute donated food.
Context and regional need
The event takes place amid economic uncertainty for many North Texans and rising hunger pressures driven in part by record inflation and increased demand for food assistance. The exhibition is part of a broader, multi-city initiative: CANstruction occurs in more than 50 cities across North America as a global anti-hunger effort, leveraging local design communities to collect food and raise funds.
Logistics and viewing
The sculptures are on display at NorthPark Center and are available for public viewing during regular mall hours at no charge. Attendees who wish to vote should do so through the North Texas Food Bank’s designated online donation portal. The event’s organizers recommend checking mall hours for specific viewing times.
Competition themes and history
This year’s theme centers on science fiction; past CANstruction themes in Dallas have included video game characters, superheroes, and iconic global landmarks. The recurring event supports community engagement by combining artistic competition with practical food collection and fundraising for hunger relief.
What the event supports
Proceeds and food donations support the North Texas Food Bank’s mission to combat hunger across the region by supplying partner agencies and community programs. The food bank uses monetary donations to purchase and distribute food efficiently and to supplement in-kind contributions from events such as CANstruction Dallas.
FAQ
When and where is the CANstruction Dallas exhibition?
The exhibition runs from August 30 to September 14, 2025, at NorthPark Center in Dallas and is open for public viewing during mall hours.
How many sculptures are on display and what is the theme?
There are 26 sculptures this year, all following a science-fiction theme and constructed from canned goods and non-perishable items.
How can I vote for a sculpture?
Votes are cast by donating online through the North Texas Food Bank website. Each $5 donation counts as one vote and is estimated to provide 15 meals.
Is there an entry fee to view the sculptures?
No. Viewing the sculptures at NorthPark Center is free during mall hours.
Who benefits from the event?
The North Texas Food Bank receives donated food and funds from the event to distribute through its network of over 500 partner food pantries and community organizations in the region.
How has CANstruction Dallas performed in past years?
Last year’s event raised over $22,000 and collected nearly 123,000 pounds of canned goods, equivalent to about 170,000 meals. Over nearly 30 years, CANstruction Dallas has contributed millions of food items to the food bank partnership.
| Feature | Value | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | August 30 – September 14, 2025 | Time-limited public exhibition supporting fundraising |
| Location | NorthPark Center, Dallas | Free public access during mall hours |
| Number of sculptures | 26 | Large-scale, themed builds using donated food |
| Theme | Science fiction | Creative engagement to draw visitors and donations |
| Voting mechanism | $5 donation = 1 vote = ~15 meals | Monetary donations both vote and fund meal distribution |
| Beneficiary | North Texas Food Bank | Distribution to a network of 500+ partner agencies |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
North Texas Launches Peanut Butter Drive to Fight Hunger
Additional Resources
- Dallas Innovates: CANstruction Dallas Competition
- NBC DFW: Sci-Fi Sculptures Made of Food Cans
- GlobeNewswire: 29th Annual CANstruction Dallas Competition
- NBC DFW Video: CANstruction Kicks Off
- Wikipedia: Hunger
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
