Contest gathers 1,000 cans for food banks
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POST CREEK — If generosity can be measured in laughs, the Mission Valley United Methodist Church’s first annual can-building “cantest” was a smashing success.
Groups and organizations tested their creativity as they went to work assembling sculptures using cans of corn and tomato soup.
They took part in one of the church’s yearlong efforts to raise money and collect for food for those in need.
Not only did the event garner more than 1,000 cans and $50 for food banks in Ronan and St. Ignatius, it collected a few smiles as well.
Monte Wunderlich of Team Wunderlich walked forward to accept the prize for the “Hammiest” award, holding back fake tears as she clutched her foam trophy.
The winning sculpture featured cans of sliced peaches and stewed tomatoes complete with a sail made from a plastic bag to form a boat.
Wunderlich even had a speech prepared.
“I’d like to thank my mother, my father … and my granddaughter,” Wunderlich said shortly before bursting into laughter.
UMC’s outreach coordinator Lynette Vance said the group got the idea for the event from a church in Plains, with the exception of the awards, which included such categories as “People’s Choice,” “Rockstar” and “Most Cans Used.”
“We had so much fun making the awards,” Vance said.
“It’s been a terrific project ... it’s not that hard to do, and it’s really fun,” Wunderlich said.
Church members are also preparing to say good-bye to Pastor Karen McRae, who has led the group for nine years.
McRae is moving to the United Methodist Church in Cody, Wyo.
“Actually nine years is a long time; the average time is six years,” McRae said, adding that the bishop appoints pastors to different churches.
McRae said her first three years in the Mission Valley came during a time when the three churches from St. Ignatius, Ronan and Charlo combined to create the Mission Valley Methodist Church.
“(McRae) has been awesome and was extremely involved. I don’t think we would have been able to have done it without her,” Wunderlich said of the merger.
“It really is amazing how well we came together,” Shirley McDonald said.
