Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Feeding America Partnership Raises 2.4 Million Pounds Of Food

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Dec 17, 2014, 10:23 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, Dec. 17, 2014, Lambda Chi Alpha announced that 142 of their 194 chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada have raised a total of 2.4 million pounds of food for Feeding America-affiliated food banks, resulting in over 2 million meals for families in need.

The Lambda Chi, Feeding America partnership, which was announced in 2013, raised a final total of 2.4 million in its first year. Now, only halfway through the academic year, Lambda Chi Alpha has matched its previous total.

Collegiate members from the Epsilon-Omicron chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at the University of Tennessee collecting food for Feeding America.

Members at the University of New Orleans raised 228,500 pounds of food in their fall food drive efforts, with Worcester Polytechnic located in Massachusetts reporting 192,622, and Mississippi State University totaling 107,798 pounds of food raised.

"I am not only honored but humbled to watch our young men become role models in their community and on campus," said Lambda Chi CEO Bill Farkas. "I feel that we are the collegiate movement in this fight to end hunger. Our members are not only making a difference but they are learning about themselves and living the values we instill in them."

All monetary and food donations raised benefit local food banks across the country to help feed the 1 in 6 Americans facing hunger , which includes nearly 17 million children living in food-insecure households.

Director of corporate partnerships for Feeding America, Kelli Walker, said that it's been an honor to be partnered with the men of Lambda Chi Alpha.

"I think that it's a partnership that makes great sense," said Walker. "There's a parallel structure between our two groups, as our food banks serve people in every county, the chapters and colonies of Lambda Chi are able to make an impact in communities across the country."

Lambda Chi Alpha aims to continue their success in fighting hunger with additional programming at the national and collegiate level in the spring, including spearheading Feeding America's backpack initiative.

Since 1993, Lambda Chi Alpha has maintained an ongoing commitment to hunger relief with the former "North American Food Drive," which encouraged chapters to donate non-perishable food. These efforts have raised more than 40 million pounds of food for the needy. That spirit and commitment now continues through the partnership with Feeding America.

In addition to expanding the number of participating chapters and total amount of food collected, Lambda Chi Alpha believes the partnership with Feeding America has strengthened the local relationships between chapters and member food banks and increased collaborative opportunities.

"Feeding America has been an amazing partner to work with during our short partnership," added Farkas. "We look forward to a wealth of continued success in the years to come."

Walker also added that, "This is a unique partnership, there aren't many like it. We here at Feeding America are grateful for that and grateful for the work Lambda Chi brothers have contributed in helping feed 46 million people."

About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity is one of the largest men's general fraternities in North America with more than 275,000 initiated members and has held chapters at more than 300 universities. In the early 1970s, it was the first fraternity to eliminate pledging and remains a leader in the fight against hazing, alcohol abuse, and other challenges facing today's college student. Lambda Chi Alpha serves to complement higher education by providing opportunities for academic achievement, leadership development, and lifelong friendships. To learn more about Lambda Chi Alpha and its traditions, principles, and ideals, please visit www.lambdachi.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LambdaChi or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LambdaChiAlpha.

CONTACT: Thomas Lichtenauer, 1-317-803-7322, [email protected]

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SOURCE Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.