The Mississippi State Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha hosted its 20th Annual Watermelon Fest. The weeklong event involves all of the local sororities in an effort to raise food for local food banks. The sororities participate in a series of events including a day full of “Watermelon Games.”
The fun this past week, coupled with donations from businesses and the local community, have helped to make Watermelon Fest one of the most successful philanthropic events on the Mississippi State campus. All of the proceeds gathered go to support the North American Food Drive.
Kappa Delta claimed the title of Watermelon Fest champions for 2002 with Phi Mu placing second and Chi Omega placing third.
Chi Omega also won the volleyball tournament and Rachel Langley of Delta Delta Delta was crowned Watermelon Fest Queen.
Last year alone, the chapter was able to raise well over 35,000 pounds of food for the Starkville area.
This year, the men of Lambda Chi Alpha have set a goal of 50,000 lbs.
“This success could not have been achieved without the support of the Starkville community and Mississippi State sororities,” said Kirk Hoffman, vice president of Lambda Chi Alpha. “We are thankful for their continued support of our food drive.”
Last year the Mississippi State Epsilon-Chi Chapter was in the top 20 of over 200 of the Lambda Chi Alpha chapters internationally.
The food drive began at the Millsaps Chapter in the early 90’s and was adopted at an international level in 1993.
“The Starkville community and local businesses have always been supportive of our food drive. It is good to see so many people concerned with helping others less fortunate,” said David Stovall, treasurer of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Many businesses helped with making the local efforts of the North American Food Drive a success. These include The Lodge, The Lodge Books & Copies, Remington’s Hunt Club and Foodmax Supercenter. These businesses are greatly appreciated.
The chapter would also like to extend a special thanks to John Hendricks of The Lodge for his support as our alumni advisor and contributions.
The food drive is unlike any other because it’s part of an international effort. On the first weekend of each November, Lambda Chi Alpha chapters and colonies throughout the United States and Canada dedicate their weekend to collecting non-perishable food for the needy.
Undergraduate chapter members deliver empty grocery bags to city residents who are asked to contribute generously to benefit their community. Upon return, members collect the canned goods and distribute them to local charities and food banks in anticipation of the upcoming holidays.
“Since its creation, the North American Food Drive continues to break records each year-providing a needed supply of food for soup kitchens that are busy preparing for the winter months,” says Thomas Helmbock, Lambda Chi Alpha’s executive vice president.
“Our members continue to prove that they care about the community and desire an opportunity to help others. Although Lambda Chi Alpha’s creed speaks of ‘service’ and ‘sacrifice,’ the actions of our members each November serve as a testament of their compassion and their commitment to the Fraternity’s ideals,” Hemlock said.
This was the fourth year that the food drive reached 2 million pounds and the sixth year in a row that more than 1 million pounds were collected.