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Sigma Phi Epsilon gives back at The Food Bank

Sigma Phi Epsilon gives back at The Food Bank

July 6, 2021 in Harvest Time Newsletter Volunteer Spotlight

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic changed life drastically. One area that’s been greatly affected is the opportunity for in-person volunteering. Missouri State University’s Sigma Phi Epsilon found it hard to serve until the fraternity discovered Ozarks Food Harvest.

“Our interest in volunteering at Ozarks Food Harvest began with the current pandemic limiting our abilities to provide our community outreach,” Clay North, vice president of programming for the Missouri Eta chapter, shared. “Our fraternity was founded upon three core values of virtue, diligence and brotherly love. Luckily enough, we were able to find an organization that lives out our virtues on a daily basis.”

On Nov. 4, the group began volunteering with us and has already donated more than 150 hours of its time to fighting hunger.

The Food Bank not only brings the fraternity closer to the community, but it also brings the members closer to each other.

“Ozarks Food Harvest has provided a way for our brothers to leave the chapter house, the residence halls or their apartments and give a couple hours of their day to a greater cause,” Clay said.

At volunteering sessions, Sigma Phi Epsilon has enjoyed working with Ozarks Food Harvest staff.

“One of the most important things as young men is to meet other men in our lives that display the core virtues. Andrew, one of the volunteer coaches at Ozarks Food Harvest, has been an absolute blessing to work with,” Clay said. “We have never seen Andrew without a smile on his face and that has taught so many of our brothers how to live our daily lives.”

For the group, giving time has allowed for a greater understanding of the issue of hunger. Sigma Phi Epsilon appreciates the opportunity to learn as well as serve.

“Volunteering is more than just logging hours and accumulating numbers for us,” Clay shared. “Sigma Phi Epsilon nationally preaches the idea of service learning rather than community service. Learning through the service we do ultimately shapes us to become more well rounded and compassionate men of the future.”

We would like to give a big thank you to the members of MSU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon for all they have done to support The Food Bank. If you would like to sign up a group to volunteer, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer. We can’t wait to work with you!