FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC, Chi Sigma Chapter - Northern Alumni Chapter gives back to the less fortunate on Christmas Day
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC
Chi Sigma Chapter
PO Box 158
Orange, NJ 07050
www.ChiSigma.org
Newark, NJ October 1, 2010 — Over the past ten years, especially within the past two years - partly due to the current mortgage crisis resulting in an astronomical rate of home foreclosures lack of employment, the number of families living at or below the poverty level has risen. There are various reasons for the increase in the number of less fortunate families. Some factors include the inability of the parents to find decent paying jobs in addition to the decrease in alternative, affordable available housing. Other factors may include the inability of parents to find any form of employment at all. Draw your own conclusions and it will not change the fact that the poverty rate in America has steadily risen each year.
In New Jersey, about 800,000 people fell within the poverty level in New Jersey in 2009, a 0.6 percent increase from the year before, while the nation's poverty rate rose by 1 percent. That is a small increase overall, but that is almost a million people living in poverty in our own state alone.
Over the past couple of years the Chi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC has decided to lend a helping hand to ease the pain of some of these families. Their annual event titled, "Feed the Hungry" is an event focused on the families who are less fortunate. They are provided with a hearty meal, clothing and toys for their families in the spirit of the holiday season.
"We aim to support low-income and underprivileged families to help them enjoy a happy holiday," says Kobie Brown, the event's chairperson. He also says, "What better way to celebrate the holiday season than giving back to your community".
The event began at the South 17th Street in Newark, NJ. The event has been such a success, there were almost as many volunteers as there were families! Thus, in 2009 the event was expanded to the Washington Elementary School in Plainfield, NJ as well. Both events have had enormous turnouts of families and volunteers.
The food, clothing and toys are all received via donations. The Chi Sigma Chapter and its affiliated organizations and groups sponsor various clothing and toy drives during the year to collect items for the event. They also enlist the help of other community organizations for donations, food and volunteers.
About Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service.
Contact Information:
Kobie Brown
Social Action Chairperson
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC - Chi Sigma Chapter
(732) 306-2066
SocialAction@chisigma.org
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