Grab some pals (preferably six to eight), wear clothes that you can get sticky in and round up $60 to participate in Lambda Chi Alpha’s annual Watermelon Fest. Have some fun while benefitting their local philanthropy, Ozarks Food Harvest, with a canned food drive, and raise funds for their national philanthropy, Feeding America.

Both of the philanthropies Lambda Chi Alpha partners with, Ozarks Food Harvest and Feeding America, seek to alleviate hunger. These organizations are food banks and pantries. Feeding America is a network of 200 food banks nationwide. Ozarks Food Harvest is a food bank in Springfield, a part of Feeding America’s network.

According to Feeding America’s website, their efforts reach more than 46 million people every year. They say about one in six people Missourians suffer from hunger, compared to about one in eight nationally. Ozark Food Harvest’s scope is much smaller, limited to southwest Missouri, but they still help 260,000 people.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, Lambda Chi Alpha chapters collected more than 3.6 million pounds of food – the equivalent of about 3 million meals for people in need.

The Watermelon Fest is one such way in which the Drury Lambda Chis collect food and money for the organizations.

Tyler Harrelson, junior and philanthropy chair of Lambda Chi Alpha, explained this year’s Watermelon Fest: “During the event, many watermelon-based field games (relay races, a watermelon eating contest and tug-o-war over the melon pit) will be played,” said Harrelson. “While it is a competition, the overall atmosphere is lighthearted and filled with shenanigans and tomfoolery.”

Any organization or group of people on Drury’s campus can be involved in the event. The team sign-up sheet can be found on the Watermelon Fest 2017 Facebook page. The last day to register a team is Friday, Sept. 22.

“This year we are looking to have the best turnout of Drury students in a long time,” said Harrelson. “We are hoping to have representatives from every Greek organization and various other organizations around campus.”

Teams that are already registered should be sure to be part of the Watermelon Fest 2017 Facebook group for opportunities to earn extra points. Teams can also earn extra points by bringing canned goods to the event.

This year’s Watermelon Fest will take place Saturday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunderland Field. Go toss some melons to support hunger relief in the Ozarks and across the nation.

Article by Lindsey Hedrick