Overcoming challenges to break a world record

Giving back to the community is already rewarding in itself but breaking a world record while doing so can make it even more satisfying. But what happens when a global pandemic hits? You power on — and the colleagues from the Real Canadian Superstore^® location in Sudbury did just that.

They had less than two weeks to break the Guinness World Record of the Largest Canned Goods Mosaic but the best part was what would be done with the cans: all would be donated to the city's food bank when it was over.

Store Manager Ryan Campbell jumped at the chance to team up with Science North, Northern Ontario's original science centre, and be the exclusive retailer for the event. They had to abide by Guinness World Records' rules and regulations, which meant they had to know where the cans came from, that the products weren't expired and that safe food handling practices were implemented. This meant the store was unable to accept donations of canned goods from the community for the project.

"While we couldn’t accept cans from our customers, they did participate with monetary donations. In return, they got one of those little slips that says that they were part of the mosaic, which is phenomenal."

The display of cans was completed by March 7 and Guinness World Records was scheduled to verify it a little over a week later. But COVID-19 hit and, like everything else, it all came crashing to a halt.

The exhibit didn’t run as planned. It also needed to be adjudicated by a Guinness World Records official from New York but because of travel advisories, they were “unable to come and confirm it.

They were down but not out, and had no intention of giving up on their goal of breaking the record. According to Ryan, “Science North was still trying to get it adjudicated through video and special circumstance.”

Turns out patience does have its virtues. Thanks to those video submissions, Guinness World Records informed the store and Science North that they were successful and are the current record holder. "I’m just glad all the work wasn’t for nothing," says Ryan.

Despite the obstacles, Ryan adds, “the product still got to the local food bank in a time of desperate need.” And after everything that has gone on since the build, continuing to be able to help feed everyone is ultimately what’s most important.

While it was a fantastic way to help the community, it also brought the colleagues together — especially the cashiers.

“We had a fun contest going on between colleagues on the front end on who could get the most canned goods donated,” explains Ryan. “Rather than ask customers to donate money, they had the option to buy a can for donation, which I think really helped.”

In the end, the store was able to donate quite a bit of product, which the food bank was grateful for.

Despite the hiccups, Ryan insists, "It was such a fun experience from the start. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."