Black Fraternity "Sleeps-Out" For The Homeless

 WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The Delta Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at Winston-Salem State University will conduct its 14th annual overnight sleep-out for the homeless campaign beginning Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. near the Greek plots on campus.  

    Activities surrounding the event include the collection of nonperishable food items, school supplies, and clothing items for the homeless. The campaign culminates with the all-night sleep-out to raise awareness about the homeless in the Piedmont.  Members of the fraternity and students supporting the initiative sleep in cardboard boxes, sleeping bags, and tents.

    The fraternity will set up a makeshift cardboard city near the Phi Beta Sigma monument on the university’s Greek plots area outside of the Cleon F. Thompson Student Services Center. 

    Clothing items will be donated to the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission, while the nonperishable food items will be given to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. The school supplies will be donated to Project Hope of the Winston- Salem/ Forsyth County School System, and the monetary donations will go to the Samaritan Ministries Annual Penny Campaign.  

    In 2009 members collected 14 boxes of clothing and shoes, 698 pounds of food, four boxes of school supplies and personal hygiene items and $158 in monetary donations.

    Donations may be made during the evening of Friday, Nov. 19, at the Clock Tower on the campus of WSSU from 6:00 p.m. -  6:00 a.m.