Lambda Chis load canned food collected at Pumpkin Fest.  Photo by Austin Ryan.

Lambda Chi Alpha held their annual fundraising event “Pumpkin Fest” Thursday, October 30. During this event, each sorority and fraternity competed in various pumpkin-related activities to raise money and canned goods for Shelby Emergency Assistance Center.

Through efforts from the Greek community, Lambda Chi was able to raise around 570 pounds of food, which is to be matched by Chubb’s Grub Station in Alabaster. Cash donations were also received, but the amount is currently unknown.

“We’re hoping we raised enough money to get us up to a thousand pounds of food,” said John Gasson, vice president and philanthropy chair of Lambda Chi. “Whether it was a cash donation or actual cans of foods, we’re happy that we’re able to give back to the Emergency Center.”

Evan Dixon, president of Lambda Chi, was pleased with the outcome of the event.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more fun,” indicated Dixon. “Look to see more events like this in the future. We have our Watermelon Bust coming up in the spring, and we’ll probably have other events to support our cause, Feeding America.”

Events at Pumpkin Fest included a pumpkin toss, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin pie eating, a bake off, can stacking competition and a pumpkin costume contest. Students could either pay a dollar to get in or donate a can to the cause.

Alpha Kappa Lambda and Chi Omega took home the prize for Pumpkin Fest, a small check for their individual philanthropies, Cysitic Fibrosis and Make a Wish Foundation.