May I be CANdid with you?  Our "kind" usually doesn't get much
respect.  People normally buy us and stick us behind closed doors...in
a pantry or in the back of a cupboard.  Some of us expire and
eventually are thrown in the trash without ever feeding anyone.  Others
suffer the dreaded stab of the can opener.  There is only one noble
fate of a canned good, and that is to be donated.


Every year the generous people of Sun go around seeking out my brethren
for a big event called the "Canned Food Drive".  We are a diverse
community...  We come in different sizes, colors and shapes. Some of
our edgier relatives, the BOX Family, join us for our big gathering
that's hosted each year at Sun during the Holiday Season.  To be chosen
and donated, especially at Sun, is the ultimate dream of every
non-perishable food item.


You see, we all hope that one day we might be a participant in the
Canned Food Drive and possibly even take part in the cherished
CANstruction CANpetition.  It's on every Can's "Things You Must Do
Before You Expire" list.  There is nothing more thrilling than being
stacked and displayed in this unique form of art.  Hundreds of us come
together in formation, beautifully blended, as we're stacked and taped
together.  Admittedly, it can be a little cozy, and some CANplain about
being claustrophobic but we just tell them to "CAN it".


Best of all, we go to the Community Food Share of Boulder County, and
from there, are distributed to people that need us.  There are 45,000
people in Boulder County (that's 1 in 8) that see us as heroes.  We are
so grateful to the employees of Sun that rescue us from an untimely
demise and, instead, send us on a journey where we can help those in
need.  Despite worries that they may get CANNED themselves, Sun
employees gathered 4443 pounds of food and an additional $601 this
year.  Once that money is matched by Sun it can buy an additional 4808
pounds providing a total of 9251 meals!  Sun employees never fail to
have a CAN do attitude.


On behalf of the Food CANmmunity, I'd like to give a heartfelt thanks
to the CLC and the Women@Sun who sponsored these events.  Thank you, as
well, to the 6 CANstruction teams who collected us to make their
masterpieces.  And special thanks to all of you who donated us to this
worthy cause.


Together we CAN change the world!