June 3 “ExtravaCANza” Challenge to fight hunger in Greater Manassas/PWC

A canned goods sculpture contest organized by GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas will take place on the lawn of the Manassas Museum during the City of Manassas Railway Festival on Saturday, June 3.

Following the competition the canned goods will be donated to local community food banks.

The six participating service organizations have been challenged to erect a canned goods sculpture that in some way reflects Manassas’s railway heritage.

Community groups that will be participating are Bull Run Rotary & Interact Club, GFWC Woodbridge Woman’s Club, Kiwanis Club of Manassas Battlefield, Lake Jackson Mid-County Lions Club, and Manassas Lioness Lions Club.

The canned goods sculpture challenge came about, according to Dale Fisher of the Manassas organization, because Fran Edwards, president of General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Virginia, is working to alleviate food insecurity.

Each GFWC president comes up with her own Special Project, an area where she wants the clubs in Virginia to concentrate special efforts during her tenure. Edwards’ project is known as Dare to Dream of No Hunger. To support Edwards, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas is sponsoring The ExtravaCANza Challenge.

Fisher said GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas will give each participating organization a $250 gift card to Giant Food to be used to purchase canned goods. Contest participants may supplement their purchases through their own means, Fisher added.

People attending the Manassas Railway Festival on June 3 are invited to visit the displays and vote for their favorite sculpture. 

There will be two prizes awarded, Fisher said, the People’s Choice Award and the Mayor’s Award. Each winner will receive a $250 prize that must be used to address community hunger.

Added Fisher, “Without visiting shelters, volunteering at food banks, or participating in food collections, it is easy to assume hunger is rare in a country such as ours.”

“Sadly, 8.4 percent of Prince William County’s population is food insecure, “Fisher said.