Lambda Chi Alpha and the Society of St. Andrews donated 42,000 pounds of potatoes to agencies in the surrounding area Saturday.
The fraternity had heard of another organization on campus who had also donated potatoes to churches and agencies in the area last semester and decided to look into it.
“We have worked with Need Line every year for many years, donating over 20,000 pounds of food each year,” said J.C. Aponte, junior from Clarksville, Tenn. “This year with the potatoes we have donated around 40,000 pounds of food to the Murray-Calloway Need Line, and a total of 75,000 pounds of food to Calloway County and surrounding communities.”
Lambda Chi Alphas load potatoes into U-Haul trucks.
Lambda Chi researched charities and organizations that could provide potatoes and found the Society of St. Andrews, which donated about 42,000 pounds of potatoes.
The potatoes came bagged and ready for delivery at 8 a.m. Saturday where the fraternity members loaded them into U-Haul trucks and began transporting them to the Need Lines in Calloway, Mayfield and Marshall counties.
“Lambda Chi contacted me wondering if we wanted any potatoes, and of course we said yes,” said Tonia Casey, executive director of the Murray-Calloway County Need Line. “We can give people canned potatoes but because there are so many ways you can prepare fresh potatoes we were excited for the donation.”
Right now, Need Line is still donating the potatoes and hopes to be able to continue until April 18.
Casey said the Murray-Calloway County Need Line recently acquired new buildings to house donations such as the potatoes.
“All of the fraternities and sororities at Murray State have, at one time or another since I’ve been director, donated, volunteered or participated in a fundraiser,” Casey said. “There is always a fraternity or sorority or some other organization at Murray State that pitch in and help, as well as some of the faculty and staff.”
Need Line is a community-based program, and is not supported by any state or federal funds. Not only does it accept donations from Murray State faculty, staff and students but it has also helped families, faculty and staff members who struggle with money or food.
Need Line has partnered with Murray State’s food banks hoping to reach more individuals and families who are a part of Murray State by providing for the food bank.
Said Casey: “As a key partner, we are trying to reach out to make sure no one in the community goes hungry. Right now we are serving over a thousand people and families every month.”
Story by Brandon Cash, Staff writer