MISHAWAKA -- A local organization competed against students to create a visual spectacular at University Park Mall Saturday. They spent hours building unique structures out of cans of food.

But the project wasn't just about competition. It's also helping to feed the hungry in our area.

It all starts with just one can.

"Canstruction actually started about 12 years ago. And it was a very unique way of having cans created into unusual structures," said Junior League of South Bend member, Lisa Metros.

The Junior League of South Bend and architect students from Notre Dame went head-to-head to build giant works of art Saturday.

"We are attempting to build the Heshburg Library including the Touch Down Jesus mural," said Notre Dame student, Katlyn Springstead.

Canstruction isn't just about competition.

"We thought this would be a really great way for us to help out the Northern Indiana Food Bank and have some fun while doing it," said Metros.

All the food that was collected for the project will be donated to the food bank. Because of the economy, officials say the demand is greater than ever.

"But it's going out a lot faster than it's coming in. So a lot of our agencies are reporting anywhere from two times to ten times the need since last year," said Food Bank of Northern Indiana official, Jon Williams.

Team members say creating the structure is a lot of fun. But giving back is even better.

"And really, I think what is going to be most rewarding is the day, which will be at the end of the day Sunday when the food bank show us and we tear down the structures and we put them in the back of the trucks and we get to really truly see how much we've been able to collect," said Metros.

"When you can see what we're doing at school and coming out and helping other people, I just think it makes it that much better to be able to help other people while we're doing it," said Springstead.

The two teams collected 1,400 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.