Frat gives feast to poor this season

By Michelle L. Young
Daily Forty-Niner

Many of us will celebrate Thanksgiving with an appetizing turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all of the trimmings Thursday, but poor families will have to forfeit the annual feast because they cannot afford it.

But, fourteen families that are unable to afford a Thanksgiving dinner will receive a free meal Wednesday night from members of the Latin fraternity Lambda Theta Phi, and other sponsors.

Sammy Aguilar, president of Lambda Theta Phi, founded and coordinated the Thanksgiving event, now in its second year.

Aguilar recalls that, "as a child, my family was sponsored by a grocery store," to receive a Thanksgiving meal.

Fifteen years later Aguilar is able to sponsor dinner for families in need.

"We've opened our financial doors to groups on campus and students with financial means to sponsor or co-sponsor a meal for need-based families," Aguilar said.
 Aguilar is excited about the program's growth. Last year the brothers of Lambda Theta Phi fed six families and that has more than doubled this year, Aguilar said.

"It gives us a chance to give back to the community. It's a really good feeling. They are so shocked [when we bring the dinners]," he said. Aguilar was rewarded with letters from families served in last year's event.

Ken Carmean, a senior recreation and leisure services major, said, "I think it's great, the idea of volunteerism, and community service, is a fantastic way to not only build relations with groups, but also there are intrinsic rewards that are just endless."

Aguilar added: "I think fraternities and sororities need to get off the social scene and provide more help to community based services. As members of fraternities and sororities move through college, I'm sure their focus shifts from [socializing] to something more community based.

"The more we can provide these families with, the better. I'm sure these families will appreciate it," said Aguilar.

To get involved in delivering meals tonight, or to donate food items, contact Sammy Aguilar at (714) 323-7848.