The Inland Empire’s food bank tried a creative way to collect canned goods. It invited the community to build “Christmas trees” out of stacked cans of soup, vegetables and other items during a festive event Saturday, Dec. 14. Volunteers Porsche Lechner, left, and Berenice Lechner decorate a tree made of canned goods Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Guests examine trees made of canned goods during a contest at Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Ana Lopez poses for a photo with the Grinch during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Sonali Raju, 9, meets the Grinch on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) More than 25 trees made of canned goods are decorated for a contest Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Diego Morales takes a break after helping build a Riverside City College tree made of cans during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Trees made of canned goods are judged Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Valley View Elementary School’s Danzantes del Valle perform during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Maria Ortiz and Aurora Wardon, 3, enjoy a performance from Valley View Elementary School’s Danzantes del Valle dancers during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Valley View Elementary School’s Danzantes del Valle perform during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Visitors judge trees created with canned goods during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) A dancer with Valley View Elementary School’s Danzantes del Valle gives a thumbs up to fellow performers during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Diego Morales is questioned by the Grinch on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Sonali Raju, 9, gets a hug from the Grinch Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Porsche Lechner, left, and Berenice Lechner enjoy a visit with the Grinch on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 15Volunteers Porsche Lechner, left, and Berenice Lechner decorate a tree made of canned goods Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Expand Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino hosted its fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser with a theme inspired by the Grinch. The event, held in the organization’s Riverside warehouse, included the canned tree-building contest in which sponsors and community teams created towering “trees” from donated goods. There was also a “Who-Hairdo” competition and a visit from the Grinch himself. Related Articles Local News | New ride soars over SkyPark at Santa’s Village for holiday season Local News | Ice skating returns to Old Town Temecula for 2024 holiday season Local News | In-N-Out Burger goes 3D with its 2024 ugly Christmas sweater Local News | Christmas 2024: These restaurants are selling take-home holiday feasts Local News | Longtime Riverside ‘Nutcracker’ show moving to Moreno Valley “This time of year is especially challenging for hardworking families, as the cost of food and holiday traditions can feel out of reach,” Carolyn Fajardo, the organization’s CEO said in a news release. “Can Tree Wonderland helps keep our critical programs running while bringing donors, volunteers and the community together to celebrate the season of giving.” Presented by the Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions Foundation, the fundraiser was free, but donations were sought to help the group fight food insecurity across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Information: http://www.FeedingIE.org