The brothers of Sigma Lambda [Beta] International Fraternity at Oklahoma State University are making an impact on the community with their “Taking a Bite Out of Hunger” food drive.
Twice a year, the members of OSU’s Beta Epsilon chapter hand deliver collection bags to houses around town and asks people to fill them with non-perishable food and household items.
When the fraternity members pick the bags up a week later, they donate the items collected to local food banks.
It’s an effort the Betas started years ago to help fight hunger in Stillwater, member Jesse De La Rosa said. Their goal was to make it easier for people to make donations.
The organization was recognized with an OSU service award in 2018 for the program. They also received the Seeds of Change Award from Dream Action Oklahoma in 2019.
Over the course of 2021, the 23 members collected more than 3,000 pounds of food and donated it to Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center.
De La Rosa said it’s something they plan to continue so they’re constantly trying to find ways to improve the program.
Sigma Lambda [Beta] is a historically Latino-based organization established at the University of Iowa in 1986 based on principles of brotherhood, scholarship, community service and cultural awareness, he said. The organization bills itself as the largest multicultural fraternity in the nation.
