The Alpha Nu Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has a new initiative, “Feed the Streets,” in which the brothers collect non-perishable, non-expired canned food and water to give to local food pantries feeding Newark residents in need. The fraternity placed cardboard boxes as donation bins near the entrances of residence halls.
Phi Beta Sigma are no strangers to community service. Their mission is to establish and achieve the goals of brotherhood, scholarship and service for students, professionals, organizations and the community. Phi Beta Sigma’s motto is “Culture for Service, Service for Humanity.”
The brothers abide by their mission and motto by promoting community and service on and off campus. Along with the “Feed the Streets” initiative, the fraternity also partnered up with DOVE for the Newark Water Crisis Drive, where they helped collect more than 780 bottles of water and over $550 to donate to the Newark community.
Phi Beta Sigma has also done other service projects like donating water for Newark.
In addition, Phi Beta Sigma sold domestic violence awareness bracelets to shed more light on the issue, donating the money they raised to Jersey Battered Women’s Services.
“Another initiative that we have coming up is in conjunction with our graduate chapter Chi Sigma, which is doing a Christmas toy drive,” Kylem Spence, a senior biology major, said.
Along with their service projects, the chapter hosts on-campus events focusing on current issues within society. For example, it recently held its South Orange Kickback, which focused on freshman safety and educated them on where not to go in the area, where to eat and where to visit.
In addition to its community service initiatives, the chapter is currently striving to be nominated for the Organization of the Year award. Joshua Gonzalez, a senior physics major and chapter president, said this goal was established in the summer.
“We have hosted and co-sponsored programs that are impactful and engaging for the campus as well as the community surrounding Seton Hall, and we plan on continuing this effort,” Gonzalez said. “We want to have a significant impact and influence on the campus culture, and help as many people as we can through our service initiatives focusing on current problems in our society.”
The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, like Wilmer Francisco, a junior biology major, are very passionate about their organization. Francisco said a major reason for joining this organization was because the fraternity exemplified true brotherhood.
“The ideals of the organization line up with my ideals which are brotherhood, scholarship and service, so it felt like a perfect fit,” Francisco said. “Compared to other fraternities on campus, we may seem small, but our bond is strong, and I can honestly call everyone in my chapter my brother.”
After graduation, the brotherhood between the members of Phi Beta Sigma does not disappear as they gain access to Men of Sigma. This is a global network of other Alpha Nu Alpha brothers that can help other brothers make connections and start their careers after graduation.
Gonzalez said, “Once you are a member of the notorious Alpha Nu Alpha Chapter, you are a brother for life.”
Brooke McCormick can be reached at brooke.mccormick@student.shu.edu.
