Canless Castle coming soon

The Troy University Office of Civic Engagement will playing host to the 14th annual Canless Castle competition on Thursday, April 3 at Tailgate Terrace from 2-4 p.m.

“It is an event that the Office of Civic Engagement puts on every year,” said Sarah Mayes, a senior biomedical sciences student from Hazel Green, Alabama, and a student worker at the Troy University Office of Civic Engagement.

Mayes is a team lead for the Back Packs for Kids initiative, and Canless Castle is one of two main donation collection events put on by the program.

The Office of Civic Engagement oversees several different initiatives that help distribute food to those who need it. Back Packs for Kids distributes food to middle school and high school students local to Troy. The Trojan Pantry is an on-campus resource that provides free food and other necessities for Troy students.   

“We send out a list of needed items that fit the youth's needs and then bring them all together,” Mayes said. “All the organizations bring their items to the site, which is Tailgate Terrace this year, weather permitting.

“Then everyone builds creative castles out of their donated items.”

Awards will be given for Best Student Organization Castle, Best Greek Castle and Most Items Collected.

“Greek Week is a week when all Greek members compete and participate in a friendly competition,” said Elizabeth McMahan, a senior biomedical sciences student from Decatur, Alabama, who is a member of Alpha Delta Pi. “We get to partner with other Greek organizations like the fraternities and the NPHC to build relationships with each other.

“I think it’s unique to Troy how we don’t just work with our sorority but with others.”

The Canless Castle competition will be one of the many Greek Week events happening at Troy. There will also be an Instagram reel challenge, stroll, Greek sing and Greek games.

“I think that Canless Castle is a great event for students to rally around and support,” Mayes said. “I hope they get excited and even get competitive because the donations that we collect will help provide food for students for several months.” Mayes said.

The final day for organizations to sign up is Friday, March 28. The full list of preferred items can be found on the Office’s Instagram page, @troy_service.