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Generous contributions assist local food bank

By Luke Campbell, For The Greene County Messenger 4 min read
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Consol Energy presented a $6,000 donation Wednesday to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank that led to the purchase of all of the nonperishable canned goods purchased from Giant Eagle for the upcoming Canstruction event. Pictured (l. to r.): Jessica Cole, Corner Cupboard Food Bank administrative assistant of operations; Jason Nicholson, safety specialist at Consol Energy; and Maribeth Coote, director of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank. (Photo by Luke Campbell)

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Consol Energy presented a $6,000 donation in December to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank that led to the purchase of all of the nonperishable canned goods purchased from Giant Eagle for the upcoming Canstruction event. Pictured (l. to r.): Jessica Cole, Corner Cupboard Food Bank administrative assistant of operations; Jason Nicholson, safety specialist at Consol Energy; and Maribeth Coote, director of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank.

FRANKLIN TWP. – With Thanksgiving in our rear view mirror, residents of Greene County entered the month of December eagerly anticipating the holiday season and shifting their focuses from appreciating what we are thankful for to spreading some of that joy into others’ lives.

The community will get a little slice of some early holiday spirit during the Holiday Open House presented by Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful that will be held in downtown Waynesburg tonight.

Many stores that line High Street will remain open a little later to embrace the holiday spirit that will include free activities of caricatures, pictures with Santa, children crafts, music ensembles and the movie “A Christmas Story” being some of the events taking place.

However, a familiar event is being reunited with the Holiday Open House. The Canstruction event, an idea brought to Waynesburg by the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, will allow local artists and youth group volunteers to design and construct sculptures made entirely out of canned food items.

“I just worked with some local artists that I had a connection with and then they branched out from there,” said Dave Calvario, project manager of the Canstruction event.

Canstruction, a unique charity which hosts many competitions and exhibitions, shows off peoples’ creativity by designing various structures. This internationally recognized effort has helped raise over 25 million pounds of food since starting in 1992. These events that show off the creative artwork are primarily held annually in over 150 locations around the globe.

The Corner Cupboard Food Bank, which has 11 food pantries across the Greene County landscape, serves about 800 to 1,000 inhabitants each month.

“Being that we are located on the outskirts of town, people don’t always know that we are here,” said Maribeth Coote, director of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank. “It is nice to have opportunities to be where everyone is, and on top of that, to be at a celebration event for the whole town, just celebrating the spirit of giving.”

This idea gained momentum after the food bank contacted Consol Energy, who just recently donated $6,000 to underwrite the cost of the canned goods used to create the artwork.

In a recent press release issued by Tommy Johnson, Consol Energy’s vice president of government affairs and public relations, the company acknowledges how successful this Canstruction project is.

“We are pleased to once again partner with the Corner Cupboard Food Bank,” Johnson said.

“Canstruction is a unique event that showcases the talent and creativity of local artists, but most importantly, provides support for vital community services. We invite area residents to visit Waynesburg during the Holiday Open House, experience these amazing creations and help our local community.”

The Pittsburgh-based producer of natural gas and coal is also sponsoring the Waynesburg Holiday Open House and the weekend’s festivities with another $3,500.

However, the generous contributions of Consol Energy were not the only assistance that was needed to make Canstruction a success. Graysville Elementary School raised nearly 2,100 pounds of nonperishable food items, along with Rice Energy donating 800 pounds of food. Giant Eagle also sold all of the food being used in the Canstruction project to the food bank at their sale price.

Four separate Canstruction exhibits will be scattered around different businesses along High Street, including: 5 Kidz Kandy, In-Motion Dance Studio, Hudson’s Jewelry Store and First Federal Bank. They will be on display for the public to vote on the winning sculpture and then the food will be dispersed to the 11 pantries of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, which will then be distributed to those in need during the winter months.

Coote said she feels that this Canstruction project in future years is promising thanks in part to their relationship with Consol Energy, along with the assistance they receive with other projects from the company.

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