Throughout September, Samford University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham are launching a collaboration, Birmingham CANnected: Two Schools. One City. The goal is helping close the meal gap that one in six people, and one in four children, face in central Alabama.
The two universities are in the midst of campus-wide food drive that will lead to the construction of a canned based structure. All donations collected during the collaboration will benefit the universities’ food pantries and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
“Hunger is continuing to rise across central Alabama,” said Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. “We’re excited to partner with UAB and Samford to ensure more of our neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive.”
According to the CFB, food drives contribute food that is distributed directly to our neighbors through our network of over 300 distribution partners. They raise awareness of the reality of hunger that many of our neighbors face daily.
VOLUNTEER: Samford structure building sign-up
Volunteers are essential to the success of this initiative. The universities encourage students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents to address hunger through volunteering with your respective school.
“Samford is so pleased to partner with UAB on this creative initiative that engages students with our shared Birmingham community,” said Nathan Shelburne, Samford’s vice president for student affairs. “We celebrate this meaningful opportunity for our students and our campuses to unite together for the good of our neighbors.
Helping address hunger includes donating canned goods in-person or through the schools’ Amazon wishlists
Across both campuses, CFB collection boxes are placed to hold canned good donations. Donations will be used to create a signature structure that reflects the 2026 theme, the Magic City, during the weeklong construction period. From Sept. 25-Oct. 2, volunteers will construct a primarily canned goods structure that must fit in 10 by 10 by 10 spaces on the schools’ campuses. On the conclusion of the construction period, a judging panel from the Food Bank will review each schools’ structures and donations.
“The Office of Community Engagement is committed to connecting with our neighbors, near and far,” said Debra Haralson, Samford’s director of community engagement. “We love to provide opportunities that integrate faith, learning, and leadership. Collaborating with our friends at UAB multiplies community impact and strengthens our resolve.”
A student organization, Samford Loves Birmingham, is leading the donation efforts in Homewood.
With Samford’s Family Weekend set for Sept. 25-27 and UAB’s Family Weekend taking place Oct. 2-4, both campuses will have the opportunity to incorporate family members into the service collaboration, whether is it is assisting in structure construction or contributing to donations. On Friday, Sept. 25, Samford students and parents can sign up here to help the Bulldogs sort canned goods during their family weekend. UAB students and their families are encouraged to contribute through canned good donations.
Throughout this initiative, both Samford and UAB Athletics will encourage fans and event attendees to perform an act of service. During the UAB’s women’s soccer match at Samford, the UAB-Samford volleyball game and the Samford-UAB football game, fans also are encouraged to become registered organ donors though the Donate Life registry.
On Oct. 2, judges will visit the two campuses to evaluate the structures. Canned creations will be judged on the following areas:- Most creative use of cans
- Best structural engineering
- Best interpretation of theme
- Best overall design
The collaboration is a part of a friendly competition that will end Saturday, Oct. 3 when UAB hosts Samford for a football game at Protective Stadium, where judges will highlight the success and impact of the initiative.
Important Birmingham CANnected dates:
- Sept. 1: Donation collection began across Samford and UAB campuses
- Sept. 10: Samford hosted UAB in women’s soccer
- Sept. 17: Samford hosts UAB in volleyball
- Sept. 25: Structure construction begins
- Sept. 25-27: Samford Family Weekend
- Oct. 2-4: UAB Family Weekend
- Oct. 2: Construction must be completed for judging to begin.
- Oct. 3 Conclusion of Birmingham CANnected 2026 with the Samford football game at UAB
Making a difference in the community that calls the city home is vital to both Samford and UAB. Samford encourages students to stay active in community service during their time as a bulldog through Samford Serves and UAB’s Blazer Core Curriculum empowers students to engage with the Birmingham community through hands-on service.
