USD fraternity raises donations for Charlie’s Cupboard

Beta Alpha Psi will be hosting a food drive from Feb. 8 to Feb. 16. Students and faculty are encouraged to donate food and other toiletries, as all proceeds will be donated to Charlie’s Cupboard.  

Beta Alpha Psi organized a community food drive for the Vermillion food pantry last fall. Vice president of Beta Alpha Psi Michaela Rotert said they wanted to keep the tradition going this semester.  

“We thought it would be really helpful for students and people that benefit from Charlie’s Cupboard to have a food drive specifically for them,” Rotert said.   

Beta Alpha Psi is USD’s accounting and finance fraternity and aims to offer its members opportunities to practice ethical and social responsibilities.  

“We pride ourselves on being involved in the community and helping out where we can,” Rotert said. 

The fraternity hopes to receive as many donations as possible. Current interim president and vice president of finance of Beta Alpha Psi Drue Pieper emphasized the importance of giving back to USD students.  

“Our fraternity focuses on networking with our community and providing for those in need. We want to give back to the community because they’ve given us so much, especially the Beacom School of Business,” Pieper said.  

As some students are unable to purchase food and necessary toiletries, the food drive would allow the chance for USD faculty and students to come together and help other students on campus.  

“As a student, I recognize how important it is for us to have a facility such as Charlie’s Cupboard because prices of food and toiletry items, make it so not everyone can afford them. It’s nice to have an organization like Charlie’s to provide them for us,” Pieper said.  

The drive aims to benefit college students at USD. Students and faculty members who wish to participate can leave donation items outside of their door of the residence halls or office on Feb. 15 and 16 after 3:30 p.m. for fraternity members to collect.  

Items most needed include hand soap, Kleenex, cold medicine and various food products. The fraternity asks that only non-perishable food be donated. Individuals who would prefer to make a monetary donation can scan the QR code on the various flyers the fraternity will be posting around campus. An entire list of items most needed will also be included.