Thanks to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, an Auburn family was able to enjoy an unexpected meal this Thanksgiving holiday.
Delta Sigma Theta is a community service-based sorority on campus, and by November it had collected more than 75 pounds of food for one Auburn family.
"One sister in our sorority volunteers at J.F. Drake Middle School," said Kara White, senior in biomedical sciences and member of Delta Sigma Theta. "She found out from a school counselor that one student at the middle school has a household with 11 people."
The sisters decided to collect food for the Jones family in honor of Thanksgiving, and it marked the first time Delta Sigma Theta has collected food for a family as a service project.
In order to collect as much food as possible, the group used many different advertising strategies, including setting up a table on the Concourse to tell passing students about the food drive, posting fliers and broadcasting radio advertisements through WEGL.
"We also advertised our service project on Facebook and Twitter," said Jasmine Shaw, senior in human development and family studies and sorority treasurer.
The food collection was not limited to students, however. Delta Sigma Theta also collected food from Auburn locals, holding a "Donation Day" the first Wednesday of every month.
White also said they received help from Johnny Green, pastor at Cross Roads Community Church.
Green told his parishioners about the project, and the sisters were able to make collections at the church on donation days.
The sisters delivered the food to the Jones family Nov. 15.
White said the Jones family knew they would benefit from this service project, but what they didn't know was how much food had been collected for them.
"When they saw how much food we collected, they were amazed," White said.
Delta Sigma Theta plans to continue with organizing service projects for this family in the future.
"We want to redo their house, like 'Extreme Makeover,'" White said.
She also said they feel especially connected to this family because a sorority member often volunteers with one of the Jones children.
"Delta Sigma Theta will do any community service, but serving local people in Auburn is most important to us," Shaw said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
