Photo by: Michael Furman
As Thanksgiving approaches, DU fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha is making sure to do their part to feed those who are less fortunate.
Lambda Chi Alpha’s fall philanthropy is a food drive to collect canned food and donations from the DU community, which they donate to Food Bank of the Rockies.
“This year, we have received approximately $1,000 in donations and we anticipate making about a 100,000-pound donation to the Food Bank of the Rockies,” said Antoine Perretta, external vice president of philanthropy for Lambda Chi Alpha.
This philanthropy is part of the North American Food Drive, sponsored by Lambda Chi Alpha chapters across the nation. In 2006, 104 chapters nationwide participated and raised 2.3 million pounds of food. The North American Food Drive began in 1993.
More than 90 fraternity members participated in the food drive, which took place in the end of October.
“It’s great that we can help do our part to make this upcoming holiday season a little happier for others,” said Perretta.
Members prepare letters to the community stating who they are and ask for donations of nonperishable food. Monetary donations also are accepted.
The letter was stapled to brown paper bags and distributed to the front doorsteps of surrounding neighborhood homes. The main neighborhoods they visited are near Washington Park, Observatory Park and around DU.
The letter reminded people that they will be back a week later to pick up the donations and to please leave them on the doorstep. However, some people mail in checks. The cash contributions made to Food Bank of the Rockies are translated into a number of pounds so that the fraternity can measure how much they raised.
“It’s something incredible to see a group of college guys, who people wouldn’t usually think people have philanthropy on their mind, come together and raise 100,000 pounds of food for less fortunate people,” said Brett Parmelee, president of Lambda Chi Alpha.
After collecting all the goods, the Food Bank of the Rockies comes and picks it up.
But the success of the food drive hinges on the support of community members. This year they came through.
“I got actually a couple houses who had boxes of stuff. We had a full SUV of stuff and we only did one route from Buchtel and Milwaukee, which is less than 10 blocks. So it’s pretty cool and everyone donates,” said Brendan O’Connor, senior accoutning major.
Since Lambda Chi Alpha has been doing this philanthropy for more than a decade, the community seems to expect it each fall.
“Over the last few years, people who have lived there have come to respect it,” said Parmelee.
“Its pretty neat the community has caught up with it, and they are excited and happy to donate.”
The food drive is one of Lambda Chi Alpha’s three philanthropies. Mustache Bash, each winter, and Watermelon Bash, in the spring, raise money for the National Sports Center for the Disabled.
In conjunction with the food drive, Illegal Pete’s will donate 20 percent of proceeds during Saturday’s official grand opening, to the Food Bank of the Rockies in the name of Lambda Chi Alpha. The opening will take place Nov. 7 from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. and will feature drink specials, a prize raffle and live music.
For more information about Lambda Chi Alpha’s food drive, visit denverlambdachi.org.
