See what happens when creativity meets a cause! PensaCan 2026 brings sculptures made entirely from full cans of food to Cordova Mall in Pensacola, October 2–9. Visit the display, choose your favorite, and help celebrate an event that supports Manna Food Pantries and neighbors facing hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Presented by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Northwest, this annual competition turns canned food into impressive works of art. After the display ends, all food is donated to Manna to help feed local children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals.

PensaCan 2026: Dates and Location

• Display dates: Friday, October 2–Friday, October 9, 2026
• Location: Cordova Mall in Pensacola
• Where to look: Common area between Dillard’s and center court
• Beneficiary: Manna Food Pantries
• Public participation: View the sculptures and vote online for the People’s Choice Award

Make PensaCan part of your next visit to Cordova Mall and see how local teams are using design to fight hunger.

Vote for the People’s Choice Award

Which canned-food creation gets your vote? Visit the display, pick your favorite sculpture, and head to Manna’s voting page to participate in the PensaCan 2026 People’s Choice Award.

Check Voting Availability and Vote for Your Favorite Sculpture

Meet the 2026 Build Teams

This year’s competition features teams from:

• Ascend Cares Foundation
• Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture
• Goodwyn Mills Cawood
• Grace Design Studios
• McKim & Creed
• Navy Federal Credit Union Account Services III
• Nemours Children’s Health
• STOA Architects

Each team combines creativity, planning, and construction skills to turn full cans of food into a sculpture with a purpose.

Celebrity Judges and Competition Awards

A panel of local celebrity judges evaluates the sculptures on Friday, October 2. Award categories include Best Graphics, Best Nutrition, Best Video, Honorable Mention, Juror’s Favorite, Most Valuable, and Structural Ingenuity.

The public also gets a voice through online voting for the People’s Choice Award.

Creative Designs. Lasting Local Impact.

Since 2006, PensaCan events have provided more than 113,500 nutritious meals through food and financial donations.

Every sculpture represents food that will help someone in our community. Once the display concludes, those cans go to Manna Food Pantries for distribution to neighbors throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Thank You to the 2026 Composite Sponsors

PensaCan 2026 is supported by:

• Arrowhead Contracting Inc.
• Culinary Productions Event Venue and Catering
• Hanto + Clarke General Contractors

About Manna Food Pantries

Manna is a local grassroots organization with no national affiliation or government funding. Its mission is to provide emergency food assistance, serve vulnerable populations, and engage the community in the fight against hunger.

Manna provided food to 71,005 people in 2025. The organization operates an emergency food distribution pantry and 18 food security programs with 27 community partners across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Learn More About PensaCan and Manna Food Pantries

About AIA Florida Northwest

AIA Florida Northwest supports the architectural profession through member services, activities, and education while encouraging public awareness and appreciation of architecture.

Learn More About AIA Florida Northwest

Visit PensaCan at Cordova Mall October 2–9 and help Demolish Hunger, Design Hope!