Since 1993, the Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter at Michigan Tech has supported Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. Some days the fraternity brothers chop wood for wood stoves. And other days the brothers drive around and collect non-perishable food items for the LBFE food pantry.
On Saturday, the group will collect donations for the annual food drive. Philanthropy Chairman Matthew Zimmerman says a big part of becoming a member means volunteering in the community, and making sure everyone has some food on the table.
It’s been a great opportunity for us and we hope to continue doing that in the future. Ah it’s been great to see community members and especially right now with getting our house back. It’s been a great way to thank those who helped us. – Matthew Zimmerman, Philanthropy Chairman, Lambda Chi Alpha
Don’t have your bag picked up by 3pm, I recommend you give us a call 906-482-6944. We have volunteers at the office who are answering the calls, sorting the food. They’ll send the brothers out if possible to go pick up that bag at the end of the day. – Carol Korpala, Executive Director, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly
LBFE Executive Director Carol Korpala says food does not go to waste when feeding more than 300 seniors every month. She says best by dates posted on food packaging typically share when food is still considered fresh by the manufacturer. When donations arrive at the Hancock pantry, volunteers will sort out items that cannot be used and will donate those items to another local food program.
Korpala adds this year the drive needs items such as canned soups, meats, and vegetables, as well as staple food pantry items such as mac-and-cheese and peanut putter. Another item the pantry needs regularly includes Ensure nutrition drinks or meal supplement mixes. Korpala says while most of the food from food pantries provide elders with significant nutrition and calories, seniors do need foods with high protein to stay healthy. She encourages those with the means and are willing, pick up a couple of items from a nearby store, which can make a big difference. In 2024 the program collected more than 7,000 pounds of food from residents. And in some years, Korpala says, the food drive has collected close to 10,000 pounds of food to restock the pantry in time for the holidays.
If you cannot donate on Saturday, Little Brothers do seek support for the pantry throughout the year. Learn more about supporting little brothers and the lambda chi food drive online.
Some household may have received a brown bag for the food drive in the past week. If your home did not recieve a bag, but you still want to participate in the collection event, please mark the bag or container for Little Brothers or Lambda Chi Alpha, and set it out on the porch before 8am. Anyone who has not had their donation collected before 3pm should contact the Little Brothers Hancock office to have a crew come out for a pick up.
Comments