Fraternity sponsors 20th annual Sleep-out for the Homeless

Nobody knows what it is like to be homeless, unless you have walked in the shoes of a homeless person. This year, the Delta Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., will host its 20th Annual Sleep-Out for the Homeless event on the campus of Winston-Salem State University near the clock tower beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 18.

“Our overall goal is to bring students, faculty, and staff together to raise awareness for homelessness, while collecting donations which will later be distributed to local charities, including: Second-Harvest Food Bank, The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission, and the Samaritan Ministries of Winston-Salem,” said Shanderus Stewart, a senior biology major and vice-president of the Delta Alpha Chapter.

Activities during the week will include:

• The collection of nonperishable food items, school supplies and clothing items for the homeless.
• The all-night sleep-out that will have members of the fraternity and other students supporting the initiative by spending the night in cardboard boxes, sleeping bags and tents. The makeshift cardboard city will be set up near the Phi Beta Sigma monument on the university's Greek plots area outside of the Thompson Student Services Center.

Last year, the fraternity raised $1,000, 1000 pounds of canned goods and other non-perishable items, and at least 20 boxes of clothing. The fraternity hopes to match or increase last year’s goal.

Donations may be made from 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, through 6 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Clock Tower on the WSSU campus.

For more information, contact Shanderus Stewart at 704-674-5180 or sstewart112@rams.wssu.edu.