Cross & Crescent

Since 1993, Lambda Chi Alpha has been coordinating an international philanthropy project that has now raised approximately 30 million pounds of food for the needy across North America. Although individual chapters have been doing their own local food drives for many years prior to 1993, this was the first year that the International Headquarters announced this as a cohesive North American program.

Called the Lambda Chi Alpha North American Food Drive, this annual event is arguably the largest single-day philanthropic project sponsored by a collegiate organization.

This year, Lambda Chi Alpha collected approximately 2,076,243 pounds of food with 73 chapters and colonies having reported their totals.
Food collected by chapters directly supports the hungry and needy within their local communities. Participating chapters typically gather money or canned food and donate all proceeds to a local food bank, shelter, or charity.

For some shelters, Lambda Chi Alpha’s food drive is the single-largest source of charity they receive, and they rely on our chapters every year.
Each can of food collected not only feeds someone in need but also raises the awareness that helping those in need is a cornerstone of what Lambda Chi Alpha is committed to doing.

“Brothers Feeding Others” is more than a slogan. It is the embodiment of the true principles upon which our Fraternity is founded.

Testimonial from New Orleans

In the first online Cross & Crescent, in November 2005, University New Orleans University alumnus Mark Decker wrote about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Their (Brothers) compassion and brotherly love gave me the strength I needed to survive,” said Decker. “It was at this moment — when all hope seemed lost — Lambda Chi Alpha had the greatest impact on my life.”

Following the hurricane the chapter at UNO was left with two members, but they decided to rebuild the fraternity concurrently with the rebuilding of the city of New Orleans. The remaining members went to visit Marco, a UNO staff member and former High Pi, asking for help to rebuild the chapter. Eager to be part of the rebuilding of Lambda Chi Alpha, Marco agreed to once again assume the position of High Pi.

The Brothers started from square one three years ago. Through all adversity the chapter has gone full steam ahead building the chapter better than it was before. Currently the largest house, one with 35 members, the chapter has the best GPA on campus and numerous leadership positions as well.

It was this spirit of rebuilding that has made the North American Food Drive the priority of the chapter.

“Right after Katrina when the chapter was just trying to bounce back is how this all started,” says Marco. “The chapter is a group of leaders and as leaders wanted to be a part of rebuilding the community. They were driven to have the North American Food Drive be their number one priority. They wanted to be part of the overall recovery and a massive force in creating goodwill in the community.”

Top 10 Chapters

• Maryland Baltimore County –- 389,450 pounds
• Truman State –- 218,352 pounds
• Butler –- 125,617 pounds
• New Orleans -– 121,738 pounds
• Texas-San Antonio –- 118,840 pounds
• Missouri–Columbia –- 110,333 pounds
• Central Florida –- 102,150 pounds
• Missouri–Kansas City –- 87,945 pounds
• Mississippi State –- 71,783 pounds
• Incarnate Word –- 62,000 pounds

For a full list in of results please visit Lambda Chi’s website.