UC s Greek Week 2013 to Support the Freestore Foodbank

It’s a rite of spring on college campuses across the nation, involving antics such as pie-throwing, human chariot races and belly-flopping contests. As the University of Cincinnati’s fraternities and sororities come together to celebrate

Greek Week April 8-12,

UC’s Greek organizations will compete to raise $40,000 to benefit the Freestore Foodbank; w

ill collect toiletries and build health-and-hygiene packs for people in need during an evening of service on April 9

;

and

will compete in a “CAN We Build It” competition on April 12 to feed hungry families in Cincinnati.

Greek Week President Ross Schreiber of Cleveland, a UC senior major in industrial management, minor in international business and member of Delta Tau Delta, says supporters can contribute monetary donations through a special

Freestore Foodbank/Greek Week web link

, where donors can pledge to the fundraising tally of an individual UC sorority or fraternity, or make a direct donation to the Freestore Foodbank.

UC’s Greek organizations also are collecting canned food items for a “

CAN We Build It” competition that takes place from noon-3 p.m., Friday, April 12, in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center (TUC).

Judging of what will eventually become 6-by 6-foot structures of canned food items will get underway at 2 p.m.  A collection point for canned-food donations will be set up on the fourth floor of Steger Student Life Center from April 6-9.

The Freestore Foodbank reports that there has been a dramatic increase in community demand for food and services. Last year’s drought added another challenge to food collections.

In 2012, the organization was able to collect more than 438,000 pounds of food from canned food drives like the effort that will get underway during Greek Week 2013. “We are thrilled about this partnership with UC’s Greek Life,” said Kurt Reiber, president and CEO of the Freestore Foodbank. “Through donating canned goods and preparing health-and-hygiene packs, students are supporting our neighbors in need in a big way.”

UC’s Fraternity and Sorority Life strives to build connections and leadership in and out of the classroom. Schreiber says that since joining his fraternity his freshman year, it has had a positive impact on his experience at UC. “Greek Life has certainly built my leadership and social skills,” says the 22-year-old Schreiber, who graduates this spring. “I also know that the people I’ve met through Greek organizations – beyond Delta Tau Delta – are most likely the people I will be staying in touch with long after I graduate from college.”

Top Greek Week competitors, fundraisers and Greek Week’s fundraising total will be announced at the Greek Awards Celebration at 6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 18, in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center (TUC).

Greek Life at UC

Greek Life has been part of the University of Cincinnati since 1840, when Beta Theta Phi established at what was then Cincinnati College. UC has 22 fraternities and 14 sororities with a total of 2,500 members. They hold an overall grade-point-average of 3.10, exceeding the all-university GPA.

Leah Howell, program manager for Fraternity and Sorority Life at UC, reports UC’s Greek community contributes more than 7,500 hours of community service per year.

About the Freestore Foodbank

The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider to children and families in the Tristate. The organization is a trusted partner to more than 275 nonprofit member agencies spread across 20 counties, through which it distributes over 16 million meals and other products to more than 300,000 individuals annually. By providing emergency food distribution, the Freestore Foodbank works to determine the root causes of poverty and food insecurity and is able to provide an array of services (emergency clothing, housing services, Food Stamps assistance, Medicaid outreach and others) aimed at creating self-reliance. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America. Visit

www.freestorefoodbank.org

for more information.

Here’s the lineup of events for UC’s Greek Week 2013:

April 1-5

10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Hoxworth All-Campus Spring Blood Drive
Location: Campus Recreation Center (CRC)

Greek chapters are encouraged to have up to five members contribute.

Monday, April 8

Noon-2 p.m.
Dodgeball Competition
Location: CRC

As many as 100 people will be competing in this single-elimination tournament team competition. The first team to eliminate all opposing players or the team with the greatest number of players remaining at the end of regulation time will be declared the winner.

7 p.m.
Lip-Sync Competition
Location: Great Hall, Tangeman University Center (TUC)

Chapters will perform a lip-sync skit. The event is open only to chapter members and will be

streamed live.

Tuesday, April 9

Noon-1 p.m.
Belly-flop competition
Location: CRC

Contestants, in costume, often do a little skit before taking the big plunge.

7-9 p.m.
Freestore Foodbank Evening of Service
Location: McMicken Commons (Rain location: Campus Recreation Center, Rooms 3240 and 3250)

Each of UC’s Greek chapters will be making health-and-hygiene packs to be distributed by the Freestore Foodbank. Students were asked to collect soap, travel-size hand lotion, cotton washcloths, travel-size hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and dental floss to assemble in individual packages. As many as 1,500 students are expected to take part in this event.

Wednesday, April 10

Noon-2 p.m.
Volleyball Tournament
Location: CRC

As many as 150 people are expected to turn out for the three-on-three, round-robin volleyball tournament.

7 p.m.
The Amazing Race
Location: Great Hall, TUC

The Amazing Race is a relay of 15 stations. Each station is a “minute-to-win-it” style challenge. Two people are required to finish each station. Attendance at this event is expected to number 800.

Thursday, April 11

Noon-3 p.m.
Slime-a-Greek
Blegen Library lawn area

Chapters recruit members to get “slimed” for $2. Donations count toward the individual chapter’s fundraising total to contribute to the Freestore Foodbank.

7 p.m.
Step-Off
Location: Great Hall, TUC

This is one of the most popular events during Greek Week and is expected to draw hundreds of people (The event is open only to chapter members and

will be steamed live)

. The chapters prepare a step presentation with a minimum of four members. First-place earns a Greek sorority or fraternity 50 points toward winning Greek Week.

Friday, April 12

Noon-3 p.m. (Media Advisory: The best video opportunity is toward the end of the event, as structures near completion, 2-3 p.m.)
CAN We Build It
Location: Great Hall, TUC

Greek chapters are collecting canned food donations to build 6-by-6-foot structures. A collection point for canned-food donations will be set up on the fourth floor of Steger Student Life Center from April 6-9. For requests for donation pickups across UC offices, call 556-0896.

Saturday, April 13

11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Greek Games
Location:  Sheakley Athletics Center, 50-yard field

The games include a human pyramid competition, tug-o-war, human chariot races, egg toss, pie-eating contest, coney-eating contest and a dizzy bat course.

Thursday, April 18

6-8 p.m.
Greek Awards Banquet
Location: Great Hall, TUC

The event involves recognition of individual and chapter excellence; alumni, faculty and staff awards; Greek Week winners; and the check presentation to Freestore Foodbank.