10,000 Cans Become Larger-Than-Life Works of Art at Bridgewater Commons to Help Fight Local Hunger

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (August 20, 2026) — Ten thousand cans of food will be transformed into larger-than-life sculptures at Bridgewater Commons this September — all before being disassembled and donated to help feed Somerset County families facing food insecurity.

From September 15 to 22, Bridgewater Commons will host its inaugural Canstruction® competition, presented by Messer, bringing together New Jersey businesses for a week-long display combining art, friendly competition, and community impact. Guests can view the structures in Center Court and vote for their favorite before the canned goods, donated by Goya Foods, are provided to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.

Held during Hunger Action Month, the competition will feature teams from Somerville-based SSP Architects, Branchburg-based Paramount Facility Management Solutions, and Bridgewater-based Messer constructing sculptures from canned goods donated by Goya Foods. Together, they will transform thousands of Goya products into elaborate structures designed to showcase what can happen when creativity and community service come together.

Photo credit: Canstruction®

“Bridgewater Commons has long been a place where our community comes together, and Canstruction® gives us an opportunity to turn that connection into meaningful impact,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director of Bridgewater Commons. “What makes this event special is that 10,000 cans will first become something unexpected and inspiring for our guests to experience and ultimately, become meals for local families who need them. We’re grateful to Messer, Goya Foods, and each of our participating teams for helping us bring this to life.”

Canstruction® is a global nonprofit organization that brings communities together to create imaginative structures made entirely from full cans of food, which are then donated to local food banks in the communities hosting Canstruction competitions.

Each team will use the canned goods to create awe-inspiring sculptures — masterpieces with a mission including iconic landmarks and playful, larger-than-life creations. Shopping center guests can visit the exhibit and cast their votes for their favorite designs, which will remain a secret until their official reveal on September 15. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on September 22.

Following the competition, the sculptures will be disassembled and the goods donated to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, which since 1982 has responded to the needs of the food insecure of the county. The network now has nine pantries around the county, as well as programs that include stuffed backpacks to ensure children have enough to eat on weekends and school holidays. Ten thousand cans can provide feed approximately 500 families for a month, the Food Bank noted.

“Food insecurity remains a reality for many in our county. Canstruction is a way to alleviate some of that in a beautiful, fun way,” said Steve Katz, Executive Director from Food Bank Network of Somerset County. “We are grateful for the support of the Bridgewater Commons team, and through them, Goya Foods and Messer.”

The impact will extend beyond Bridgewater Commons. Goya Foods will donate 2,000 cans for a satellite Canstruction display at Seton Hall University’s Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute in South Orange, New Jersey. The Hispanic Heritage-inspired sculpture will benefit the university’s local food bank while extending the spirit of the Bridgewater Commons initiative through a collaborative community partnership.

“As a proud New Jersey-based company, Goya Foods is honored to partner with Canstruction at Bridgewater Commons and Seton Hall,” said Rafael Toro, National Director of Public Relations for Goya Foods. “As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we are especially proud to support initiatives that bring creativity, community and giving together. We’re excited to see how our products are transformed into incredible works of art while helping make a meaningful impact in the communities we proudly serve.”

“Responsibility is one of Messer’s core values and that means we use our resources in ways that positively benefit the communities where we live and work,” said Michele Long, Vice President for Corporate Communications, Messer, Americas. “Canstruction is a meaningful example of that commitment and we’re happy to use this creativity to help address food insecurity right here in Somerset County. We’re proud to collaborate with Bridgewater Commons and Goya Foods to do our part.”

Located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206, the 1.1 million-square-foot Bridgewater Commons is Somerset County’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment destination.

For more information on this event, visit www.bridgewatercommons.com.

About Bridgewater Commons

Bridgewater Commons is one of Central New Jersey’s premier shopping destinations, located in a vibrant suburb in proximity to New York City. The 1.15 million-square-foot shopping center features a mix of premier retailers and restaurants with wide consumer appeal. Over 130 brands call Bridgewater Commons home, from well-known national retailers and restaurants such as Anthropologie, Alo Yoga, Apple, Kendra Scott, lululemon athletica, Popmart, Williams-Sonoma, Seasons 52 and Fogo de Chão, alongside popular local shops like Athletifreak and Zuted Vintage. In 2023, Bridgewater Commons celebrated its 35th anniversary and is owned by Pacific Retail Capital Partners, one of the nation’s premier owners and operators of retail real estate. For more information on the property, please visit bridgewatercommons.com or follow on social media: Facebook @BridgewaterCommons and Instagram:

shopbridgewatercommons.

About Pacific Retail Capital Partners
Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) is one of the nation’s premier retail operating groups of large open- air and enclosed shopping centers, with more than $3.0 billion in assets under management across the United States. Based in Southern California, the company’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet. With a highly experienced team that has a proven track record of generating value its stakeholders, PRCP is dedicated to evolving real estate for the next generation by working with the communities it serves to design master plans that transform its assets into high-performing mixed-use destinations. The vertically-integrated company provides end-to-end sourcing, assessment, underwriting, valuing, developing, marketing, design and asset management services. To learn more visit pacificretail.com or follow on social media at: Facebook: @PacificRetailCapitalPartners and Instagram: @PacificRetail.

About Messer

Messer is the largest privately held industrial gas business in the world and a leading industrial and medical gas company in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Messer offers more than 125 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty and electronics gases. The company delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network. Health and safety, sustainability practices and environmental protection are core Messer values that are embedded in the company’s daily operations.

Messer Americas sales account approximately for 52% of Messer worldwide sales of over $5 billion USD. For more information, visit: www.messeramericas.com

About Goya Foods

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company and a leader in Latin American food and condiments. In 2026, Goya proudly celebrates its 90th anniversary, marking nine decades of delivering authentic flavors and quality to consumers nationwide. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America. Rooted in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world, Goya products combine authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation to suit every taste and every table. For more information, please visit Goya.com and GoyaGives.com

More News from Raritan

• CJHRC Releases Helpful FAQ Guide on Evictions in New Jersey Understand your rights as a tenant and learn more when signing or renewing your lease.
• Franklin Township Police Share Back‑to‑School Safety Reminder for Families Councilwoman Shepa Uddin Shared This Information with Garden State Neighbors