Courtesy of Louisiana Tech Panhellenic Council
What started as a simple idea to add a new activity to Greek Week at Louisiana Tech University turned into an extraordinary act of service, resulting in more than 53,000 canned goods donated to help fight hunger across northeast Louisiana.
Several months ago, Greek adviser Craig Moss met with Greek Council leaders to begin planning the university’s annual Greek Week. Looking to bring something new to the tradition, Moss proposed adding flag football to the sorority competition — but with a meaningful twist. Instead of a typical entry fee, participants would donate canned goods.
Moss said the goal was to emphasize purpose beyond competition.
“He wanted the men and women to know and understand we are working for something bigger than ourselves,” organizers said.
The idea quickly gained traction. Panhellenic Greek Week Chair Averie Manuel and Panhellenic President Sofia Zubiate expanded on the concept, introducing a competitive element: Sororities would earn points based on the number of cans they collected throughout the week’s events.
That addition ignited a surge of enthusiasm across sorority life.
Members from Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu and Sigma Kappa embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. What followed was a remarkable display of teamwork and determination. Students cleared shelves at local grocery stores and even traveled to nearby cities such as Minden, Monroe and Shreveport to gather more donations.
The friendly rivalry quickly turned into something much larger.
By the end of Greek Week, the sororities had collected 53,095 canned goods for the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank, far exceeding expectations and setting a new standard for future service efforts.
Manuel and Zubiate, along with Greek Week chairs from each sorority, coordinated the effort and helped channel the competitive energy into meaningful impact.
Moss praised the students for their dedication and compassion.
“These ladies are absolutely phenomenal,” he said. “Their hearts, compassion, willingness to serve, the selflessness — and then you throw in a little competition — I am in awe of them.”
The success of this year’s Greek Week highlights the powerful combination of community service and student leadership, demonstrating how a simple idea can grow into a movement that makes a real difference.
