West Virginia University at Parkersburg will host the Student United Way of the Mid-Ohio Valley’s ExtravaCANza, a canned food sculpture display, from now until Friday, Feb. 8 in the Caperton Center Atrium. The canned goods used to build the sculptures will be donated to the WVU Parkersburg Riverhawk Food Pantry.

ExtravaCANza is an annual volunteer project that started in 2016 and is part of the United Way’s Hunger Solutions MOV initiative. The United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley works in partnership with local food pantries to support and promote their work in serving area residents in need of emergency food.

The design and build teams are members of the Student United Way of the Mid-Ohio Valley board and involves more than seven high schools from across the region. The students designed and submitted sculpture drawings as well as ensured they had the right number of canned items for construction.

“We are thrilled our student group has a growing awareness of community that extends beyond their own immediate peer group,” said Stacy DeCicco, executive director of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley. “These kids have developed leadership skills and personal empathy that I believe will change their lives forever.”

In addition to building canned food sculptures, the organization will be collecting nonperishable items to be donated to local pantries. Baby formula, personal care items, feminine hygiene products and paper products like toilet paper and paper towels will also be collected to support various agencies within the United Way’s service network.

Donations may be dropped off at the WVU Parkersburg Caperton Center Atrium or United Way office located at 935 Market Street in downtown Parkersburg.

For more information, contact Stacy DeCicco at sdeccico@uwamov.com or 304.580.0570.