For some needy families, a little food can go a long way.

The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity’s North American Food Drive philanthropy is accepting monetary and food donations this week to benefit underprivileged families in the area.

Paul Mitchell, fraternity member and Interfraternity Council President, said every dollar raised will equal 8 pounds of food for the people who need it most.

“We have gone to local businesses, fraternities, sororities, the dorms and residences in East Lansing, Lansing and Okemos to ask if they’d like to donate,” Mitchell said. “So far it looks like we’ve raised more than 10,000 pounds of food.”

The fraternity has been involved in this national philanthropy for nearly 50 years, he said.

“Our chapter is donating the food we raise to the MSU Food Bank,” Mitchell said. “Every collegiate chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha donates directly to their local community.

“Pooled together, our 260 chapters will raise about 3 million pounds of food across the country.”

The event, dubbed “Brothers Feeding Others” involves fraternity members dropping off food bags to residences and businesses who are willing to donate once a week and then replacing them with new ones when they fill up.

The event, which has been ongoing for the past three weeks, will conclude this Saturday.

Gabe Johnson, fraternity president and an English senior, said bags of food have completely engulfed the house’s formal room.

“This event makes me feel good every year we do it and all of our brothers enjoy lending a hand,” Johnson said. “I think it shows a lot of the people in the community that the greeks aren’t all bad and we aren’t just here to party.”

Billy Molasso, assistant director of Student Life and greek adviser, said the fraternity has been working very hard to raise as much food and money as they possibly can.

“These guys have really been getting out there to try and make a difference in the community,” Molasso said. “Every year I get nothing but great feedback from everyone who is involved with their food drive.”

Christine Tarras, a psychology freshman, said she has been involved with food drives for charities before.

“I think (the food drive) is a great idea,” Tarras said. “I don’t think enough people realize how much of a difference just a couple of cans of food can make.”

For information on how to donate food or money, contact the Lambda Chi Alpha house at 337-1111.