(Pictured: Rafters players showing how they Live United)
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The South Wood County Hunger Coalition will hold its third annual United We Can "Strike Out Hunger" sculpture contest Wednesday, and for the first time spectators are invited to watch the creations come to life.
Twelve teams will build sculptures out of food and other basic needs items from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Witter Field. Participants include Grace Lutheran Church, Solarus, Rapids Family Backpacks, The Family Center, ERCO Worldwide, Riverview Hospital Association, United Way's 211, City of Wisconsin Rapids, Daily Tribune Media, Mid-State Technical College's Health and Wellness Promotion Program Student Group and Paper City Savings.
Catalyst Paper will build an impromptu sculpture during the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters game against the Kenosha Kingfish at 7:05 p.m. that night.
In addition to the sculpture contest, children's games, a bounce house and a cornhole tournament will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Witter Field. Proceeds from these activities will benefit the Hunger Coalition.
Stefanie Maxwell, a coalition member, said the additional activities offer a way to get more families involved and spread awareness of hunger in the community.
The sculptures will be on display during Wednesday's Rafters game, and those who attend can vote for their favorite sculpture. Awards will be presented for Most Creative, Most Nutritious and Community Choice.
Those who bring a nonperishable food item to the game will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a basket of Rafters and United Way items.
All donated food items will be distributed to Rapids Family Backpacks, The Family Center, Christian Life Fellowship, the Neighborhood Table and the South Wood Emergency Pantry Shelf.
Report contributed by Melissa Siegler, Daily Tribune Media.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
