We’re excited to have you join us for our 12th Annual CAN-tree food drive. This event is an important source of food for our community, and a great way to have fun and get into the holiday spirit!
CAN-tree 2023
Timeline of Events
Thursday, November 30th
Large tree building
Friday, December 1st
10 AM – 12 PM: Cumulus will be broadcasting LIVE from the event
10 AM – 4 PM: Tree building
6 PM: Tree Lighting event at Figueroa Plaza
Saturday, December 2nd
8 AM – 2 PM: Tree building
8:30AM – 12PM: Farmers Market
12 PM – 8PM: Holiday Street Fair on Main St.
4 PM – 8 PM: Winter Wine Walk
Sunday, December 3rd
Any decorations you wish to keep MUST be removed from your tree by 9am. Trees will then be broken down and cans collected to feed our community. Thank you!
Unloading and Parking Info
Unloading Zone: On Santa Clara St. between A Bar Called Country and Blue Agave Restaurant (look for cones and volunteers). This is to UNLOAD ONLY.
We will have volunteers to help you unload your car. You will then need to park in one of the designated parking areas indicated on the parking map. We are not responsible for any parking tickets incurred during this event.
Parking: Downtown Ventura is going to be a very busy destination this weekend, so we ask for your patience and appreciate your support.
The map above marks all the places where there is FREE parking. The closest parking lots are located at The Museum of Ventura County, the lot adjacent to A Bar Called Country, and the lot on the corner of Santa Clara and Palm. The top level of the parking structure is FREE all day. Please try to carpool if possible!
Rules, Tips & Important Info
Collect & Build
If you collected your own food, remember it takes about 600 cans to make the tree. However, we recommend you collect between 600-800 cans because the stability of the tree works best if the cans are relatively the same size.
If you used Food Share barrels/containers to collect your cans and are returning that container when you arrive, please make sure to turn it into the Volunteer Tent and that we record that you turned it in. If you have extra cans that you can’t work into your tree, we’ll take them! Please place them in the collection bin near the check-in table.
Buy & Build
If Food Share purchased your cans for you, please park and then proceed to the Check-in table to receive your Build Packet. You will then be brought to your area where the cans will be waiting for you! Please do NOT mix in donated cans with our purchased cans. All donated food can be dropped at check-in.
Check-In & Unloading
Please find the Food Share Check-In Tent at the beginning of your assigned build time (near the flag poles). At check-in, your tree building instructions & ornament tag will be provided to you.
See the map for the unloading zone on Santa Clara St. in front of A Bar Called Country. If you are bringing your own cans, please try to carpool. This will help the unloading process and overall traffic in that area. Volunteers will be standing by to unload your car into shopping carts. DO NOT check-in while you are in the unloading zone. Once your car is unloaded, please park, and then come back and check-in. You will then be helped to your spot to start building. After you’re done, please be sure to get a team tree photo!
Ornament Tag & Tree Topper
An ornament tag will be provided to you upon check-in. We can provide the tree topper for you OR you can bring your own. Upon completion of your tree, please go to the Volunteer Tent to receive your topper if you would like to use ours.
Decorating Your Tree
You may decorate the rest of your tree how you’d like. Get as creative as possible. There are lots of awards for the best trees!
There are also a few big “NO’s” when it comes to decorations.
- Please DO NOT use any of the following: toilet paper, fake snow, silly string, electric lights (no electricity of any kind will be available, battery operated OK), confetti, straw/hay, fake grass, or glass ornaments.
- Please DO NOT tape, stick or glue anything to the can label itself.
- Please DO NOT remove the can labels or alter the food in any way. If you need to use tape, make sure the decoration is taped to itself and NOT on the can. Any damage to the label of the can has the potential of us not being able to distribute it.
Finally, if you need your decorations back, it is YOUR responsibility to return to Figueroa Plaza before 9AM on Sunday, December 4th to collect them. Otherwise, they will be discarded or donated.
Although we have overnight security at the event site, please keep in mind that we are NOT responsible for any theft, damage, or loss of decorations throughout the weekend.
Can Wrapping
Many of you have asked about wrapping the cans. You are more than welcome to do so. Please take the taping restrictions above into account when doing so. You will need 268 labels to wrap the outer layers of the tree.
Social Media
Share the love! Please start spreading the word of your involvement in the 11th Annual CAN-tree Drive using #CANtree2023 in any of your social media posts.
Facebook: @FoodShareofVenturaCounty
Instagram: @FoodShareVC
CAN-tree 2023 Awards
Top CAN-Crusher
Most trees built
Ambassador of the CAN
Company or individual with the biggest shared support of the CAN-tree event
Community Treasure
Chosen by Food Share staff for the best tree from the Collect & Build trees
Best Theme
Group of two or more trees with a common theme
Best Décor
Best overall tree decoration
Mayor’s Choice
City of Ventura Mayor’s choice
CEO’s Choice
Food Share CEO Monica White’s choice
Board Chair's Choice
Board Chair, Drew West’s choice
Supervisor's Choice
County Board of Supervisor’s choice
People’s Choice
Tree with the most “likes” on social media
