Michael Baker International Raises Awareness of Hunger in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Receives Structural Integrity Award at Local CANstruction® Event

Company's Effort Brings Nearly 5,000 Cans of Food to Individuals in Need

Pittsburgh (June 30, 2016) - Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, is planting seeds to end hunger in support of an important cause in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Employees from the company’s Pittsburgh office participated in the Canstruction Pittsburgh 2016 competition, part of a national effort to raise awareness of the ongoing problem of hunger around the world.
 
Competitors from nine local architectural engineering firms and organizations stacked canned goods in inventive ways at the Mall at Robinson on May 14. Michael Baker’s team won the Structural Integrity Award for their entry, at the conclusion of the competition this month. 
 
Michael Baker’s team design, titled “BoCANical Garden...Sprouting Seeds to End Hunger,” was inspired by a lush botanical garden within a domed atrium. The 20-member team spent seven hours creating the seven-foot, 10-inch structure out of nearly 5,000 cans of produce. This is the first year the company’s local office entered the regional competition.
 
“Every day, Michael Baker delivers a full continuum of services and innovative solutions for some of the world’s most complex design and engineering challenges,” said Dave Martin, P.E., senior vice president and office executive for Michael Baker’s Pittsburgh office. “That extends to our involvement in Canstruction, which demonstrates how We Make a Difference through the creative contributions our designers, engineers and other team members make for our neighbors in need and the communities we serve.”
 
More than one ton of canned goods from the company’s structure were donated to The Salvation Army of Beaver Falls, a distribution partner organization of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.  The Salvation Army distributes the food to 14 agencies throughout Beaver County, which annually serves more than 12,000 families in need.
 
“Donations from the community and organizations like Michael Baker International help to ease the burden for local families wondering where their next meal will come from,” said Donna Piccirilli, social services coordinator at The Salvation Army of Beaver Falls. “Organized food drives and efforts such as Canstruction help to provide food for underprivileged families right in our own backyard.”
 
In the last year, Michael Baker has entered teams in regional Canstruction competitions in Irvine, Calif., Harrisburg, Pa., and Alexandria, Va.   More than 9,560 pounds of food from the company’s structures were donated to local hunger relief organizations.
 
Recognized as an innovator in promoting global hunger relief, Canstruction hosts annual competitions and exhibit events in more than 150 cities around the world, which has led to the collection and donation of nearly 40 million pounds of food to the needy since 1992. 
  
About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading global provider of engineering and consulting services, which include planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life-cycle support services as well as information technology and communications services and solutions. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions in support of U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients.  Michael Baker International has more than 6,000 employees in more than 90 locations across the U.S. and internationally. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com