The John Cooper School Raises More Than $14,000 to Fight Hunger in Montgomery County Through Annual Canstruction Event

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- It’s amazing what students can do when they come together to make a difference. At The John Cooper School, that spirit shines through in the annual Canstruction event, where students design and engineer a house out of canned and dry goods to support the Montgomery County Food Bank. This year, their hard work and creativity raised more than $14,000 to help fight food insecurity in our community!

Since launching Canstruction in 2021, Cooper students have raised nearly $60,000 for the Food Bank, turning this unique event into a tradition of giving and teamwork. Last year, they raised more than $13,000, and this year, they went even further.

“While we do not have a formal service requirement at The John Cooper School, you will see our students regularly spending their weekends and free time serving and giving back to our community,” said Dr. Stephen Popp, Head of School. "Canstruction offers students a wonderful opportunity to collaborate in teams for an important cause, and to support the integral efforts of the Montgomery County Food Bank to fight food insecurity.”

The event is about more than just raising funds—it’s about cultivating a lifelong commitment to service. That mission is central to The John Cooper School, where community involvement is a key part of student life. It reflects the vision of the School’s founder, Mr. John Cooper, who believed in teaching students the importance of giving back as part of their overall growth and lifelong learning.

“We are so grateful for The John Cooper School’s incredible support through Canstruction,” said Kristine Marlow, President & CEO of The Montgomery County Food Bank. “These students are truly inspiring. Their efforts make a real difference for families in need right here in Montgomery County, and it’s amazing to see how much they care about giving back.”

This year’s donations will provide much-needed food and resources for local families, ensuring that the impact of Canstruction is felt far beyond the walls of the school. The John Cooper School is proud to stand with the Montgomery County Food Bank in its mission to fight hunger, one can—and one act of kindness—at a time.

The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. The School's mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.