9th Annual CANstruction(R) Competition Features Structures Built From Full Cans of Food; 50,000 Cans Used in Structures, Then Donated to Area Food Banks

CANstruction(R) is the most unique food drive in the world and here in St. Louis. Architects, engineers and builders from all over the St. Louis area will strut their design and construction genius to see whose team can build the most spectacular structure using little more than full cans of food.

All this design talent is put to the test to make a difference in the cause to fight hunger in the St. Louis community. Sponsored by Charter Communications and Save-A-Lot Food Stores under the leadership of the Society for Design Administration's St. Louis Chapter, this year's CANstruction(R) events are on track to collect more than 50,000 cans of food for the St. Louis Area Foodbank and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry to feed the hungry in St. Louis, a number which would likely make the event the largest single collection effort for the community.

"While people are very generous during the holiday season, food donations typically slow down after the first of the year. The need for assistance remains the same, or in this economy, continues to increase," said Sue Rundblad, Coordinator of the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.

The CANstruction exhibit will kick off on Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Louis Mills, located at 5555 St. Louis Mills in Hazelwood, Mo., with a kick-off press conference featuring local teams, sponsors and community leaders. Photo and interview opportunities are available for press. The teams will then work for 24-hours to build their structures. Once completed, the exhibit will remain open to the public from March 6-16 during St. Louis Mills normal business hours.

"This competition and exhibit plays a major role in spreading the word about the growing issue of hunger in St. Louis," said Vicki Hayden, Society for Design Administration. "SDA's creation of the program demonstrates how everyone can get involved using their own talents in the fight against hunger."

At the close of the exhibit, the structures will be dismantled and all of the canned food used to build the sculptures will be donated to The St. Louis Area Foodbank and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry for distribution to local kitchens and pantries throughout the St. Louis Metro Area. Between the two initiatives, it is expected that over 50,000 pounds of food will be collected, which is equivalent to more than 78,000 meals.

St. Louis based Save-A-Lot Food Stores is the exclusive grocery partner for the campaign. "Our partnership with CANstruction(R) aligns with our commitment to help fight hunger right here at home," said Bill Shaner, President and Chief Executive Officer for Save-A-Lot.

"We are proud to be a part of such a meaningful event," said Steve Trippe, Vice President and General Manager for Charter Communications in St. Louis. "The design community has come up with a unique way to raise awareness and fight this serious problem facing so many people in our community."

For more information and photo examples of structures, please visit www.canstruction.org.

About CANstruction(R)

CANstruction(R) is a very unique food charity that challenges the skills of some of the best engineering and architecture firms across the country. A foundation of the Society for Design Administration (SDA), CANstruction(R) is a design/build competition currently held in cities through North America. Teams of engineers, architects, and students mentored by these professionals, compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food. Prizes are awarded for various categories, including Best Use of Label, Best Meal and Structural Ingenuity. Since its inception, more the TEN MILLION POUNDS of food have been donated to aid in the fight against hunger. Initiated by the Denver, Seattle and New York Chapter of the SDA in 1992/93, CANstruction(R) now has over 135 individual competitions scheduled to take place.

About Save-A-Lot

Save-A-Lot is the nation's leading extreme value, edited assortment grocery chains, operating close to 1,200 value-oriented stores in all types of neighborhoods -- urban, rural and suburban -- and delivers terrific savings, up to 40% compared to conventional grocery stores.

Our grocery store network spans from Maine to California, serving more than 4 million shoppers each week. Customers enjoy savings on exclusive Save-A-Lot brands and national brands, plus USDA-inspected beef, pork and poultry, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and non-food items. Save-A-Lot also offers a selection of baked goods, dairy, frozen food items and general merchandise. Save-A-Lot is a wholly owned subsidiary of SUPERVALU INC., a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest companies in the United States grocery channel.

About SDA

For over 46 years, the Society for Design Administration (SDA), an affiliate of The American Institute of Architects, has promoted education and best practices in management and professional standards of design firm administrative personnel. SDA Membership stretches across the United States and Canada and is composed of personnel in the design profession, including architecture, engineering, construction, landscape and interior design. SDA enhances the professional development and personal growth of its members, and consequently the development and growth of their respective companies. To accomplish this, SDA provides a host of networking opportunities, as well as educational resources in the areas of: Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Office Administration, and Project Management.

About Charter Communications

Charter Communications, Inc. is a leading broadband communications company and the third-largest publicly traded cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including Charter Digital Home(TM) video entertainment programming, Charter High-Speed(R) Internet access, and Charter Telephone(R). Charter Business(TM) similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, video and music entertainment services, and business telephone. Charter's advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(R) brand.