SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A wall of food slowly grew along Franklin Avenue Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to raise awareness about world hunger.

Katimavik leader Liam O'Leary and Katimavik volunteers Rob Pellizzari, 19, Ariel Uhryniw, 19, and Cameron Alton, 20, stack cans on the wall outside of the Greenstone Building. - Heather Lange/NNSL photo

Katimavik, a youth volunteer program, called for canned food donations last week to be used as bricks in the wall. The food is going to the Yellowknife Food Bank.

The group supervisor said the wall-building was conducted in the fashion of a "flash mob."

"A flash mob is a group of people just kind of randomly coming together to do something together. In this case, it's building a wall made out of cans," said Liam O'Leary, leader of the group.

The call for canned food was in conjunction with World Hunger Awareness Day, which took place on May 31.

O'Leary was happy with the amount of food donations they received from Yellowknife residents.

"We collected 1,290 cans of food and dry goods plus cash donations, a great turn out," said O'Leary.

Ruby Trudel, a member of the board of directors for the Yellowknife Food Bank and founder of Food Rescue, said it is accessed by many people.

"In 2010 we averaged 130 basic hampers given out on distribution day. The hampers are filled with: 500 grams of pasta, pasta sauce, two cans of condensed soup, two cans of fruit, two cans of vegetables, tuna, pork and beans, instant noodles, and macaroni and cheese. We encourage people to donate these items," said Trudel.

She said the organization looks for those staple items rather than more "exotic" foods.

"People are very kind and want to donate treat items, exotic things. These items don't have the desired effect, because most clients are unfamiliar with these foods, so they are not desirable," said Trudel.

Trudel is pleased with Katimavik's involvement with the Yellowknife Food Bank. "Katimavik are setting a wonderful example for the young people in the community," said Trudel.

The Yellowknife Food Bank is open every second Saturday in the basement of Overlander Sports from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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