Contest helps those in need

Posted By Hugo Rodrigues, SENTINEL-REVIEW

Updated 23 days ago

Oliver Stephens Public School has won the inaugural Oxford Food Sculpture Challenge, with the benefits going to the Salvation Army's local food banks.

The school's sculpture was a lion and meadow scene, fashioned after Oliver Stephens' mascot. It used some 728 cans collected by the southeast Woodstock school. It was one of 13 sculptures created by schools, churches, associations and businesses across the county.

A close second, according to the judges, was Oxford Christian Reformed School in Springford's sculpture. The sculpture that included the largest number of items was created by Calvary Pentecostal Church in Woodstock.

Competitors were invited to pile and arrange their canned goods and non-perishable food items into any creation of their desire, as long as the food could still be used and distributed to families through the food bank.

In total, some 1,632 kilograms (3,600 pounds) of food was collected for the Salvation Army's Oxford food banks through the contest.

"At the most, this food should last us two or three weeks," Salvation Army store manager Gwen Smart said. "With the Woodstock Santa Claus Parade coming in three weeks, it might last until then."

Sentinel-Review publisher Andrea Demeer called the inaugural competition a tremendous success, saying she was overwhelmed with the response from the community.

"The origin of the competition was when we heard the shelves at the food bank were bare," Demeer said. "It's definitely something we will do again next year."

Smart said the food bank is always looking for varieties of canned vegetables and meats to hand out in its food hampers for families. She said it's currently serving approximately 100 families a week. Other needs highlighted included protein for children and items that school-aged kids could use as lunches.

hrodrigues@bowesnet.com