27 Mar Be The Change: PB&J Relay for Those in Need
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or Bapu as he was lovingly referred to by his followers, believed strongly that one can make riveting changes in the landscape of their community as long as they always put forward their best effort. Be The Change, a platform that promotes this mantra, is an initiative that encourages people around the world to make a difference no matter how big or small. Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity, Inc., at both the national and local levels, supports these types of initiatives wholeheartedly.
It was with this inspiration and support that the brothers of the Alpha Delta Chapter, with the help of the sisters of Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority, Inc., set out to make that aforementioned difference. The College of New Jersey is located in a suburb right on the cusp of New Jersey’s capital, Trenton. Here, there are many people that are poverty-struck and struggling. After having previously worked in these areas through Delta Clinic, which supplied the homeless with hygiene kits and education, we thought this was the perfect place to reach out to. The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen accepts daily donations. What better way to give back during the holiday season than making bagged lunches for those in need?
Thus, the PB&J Relay was born! Our brothers reached out to TCNJ’s Career & Community Studies program, and we began a relationship with their students we will not soon forget. It was heartwarming to learn from the students that after the date for the sandwich-making was set, they were looking forward to it for two whole weeks. Together on December 7th, our brothers, the sisters of SSR, and our new friends came together and made ONE HUNDRED bagged lunches in a blazing twenty-six minutes that were donated the very next day. It felt extremely rewarding to know that 100 people would be fed another day because of the efforts we put forward.
No matter how big or small, an act of kindness always goes a long way. It is so common for young adults and adolescents our age to take what they are given for granted. Our brothers preach this within ourselves. Appreciate every little entity and detail. We are all so fortunate to be where we are in our lives and to have access to the brotherhood that we do. This is why giving back to the community locally is so important to us. This holiday season, we were glad to have made a positive impact somewhere while building relationships that we know we will continue to foster.
Special thanks to the Career & Community Studies students at The College of New Jersey as well as the Distinguished Ladies of Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority, Inc. This would not have been possible without you!
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Vinit Parekh
Eta Class | Alpha Delta Chapter
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