Local Delta Sigma Theta chapter donates 750 items to SC State’s Pack the Pantry effort

Orangeburg Chapter answers call to help students with everyday necessities, challenges other Divine Nine organizations to match contributions

ORANGEBURG, S.C.- The Orangeburg chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has donated 750 personal hygiene and laundry products to South Carolina State University, providing a significant boost to the university's Pack the Pantry effort.

The campaign seeks support for the Student Government Association's Bulldog Pantry, which provides SC State students with access to food, snacks, toiletries and other everyday necessities.

SGA Chief of Staff Bella Joy Irving said the pantry helps ensure students have somewhere to turn when they need basic necessities.

"I think it is very important because not every student has everything. Some students come to college, and they don't have much, or as much as somebody else they may know. I think it just gives them that leeway to come in and grab something and just be able to get them by," Irving said.

Irving said the pantry reflects the sense of community SC State seeks to provide for its students.

"I think the pantry is just another aspect of SC State as a family. When you need something, you go get it and you have it. It's about taking care of each other and making sure students feel welcome. That's the big thing about it," she said.

Delta Sigma Theta Inc. answers the call

Tessie Haywood, president of the Orangeburg chapter, said the sorority chose to support SC State as part of a public service initiative conducted during its chapter retreat.

"We normally do a public service initiative, and we wanted to definitely focus on the HBCUs this time around," Haywood said.

The chapter also provided personal hygiene and laundry products to Claflin University as part of the initiative.

Haywood said the chapter identified the need and reached out through social media to chapter members and other "sorors" in the area. Members were asked to bring products to the chapter retreat for donation.

"We had members of our chapter to bring these products to ensure that we were able to address this need on the campus, and so we're so glad to be able to do that," Haywood said.

The donation also reflects the chapter's longstanding connection to SC State. Haywood said many of its members are SC State alumnae, and the chapter supports the university through scholarship giving and support for the Bulldog football team.

"We're definitely engaged as it relates to South Carolina State University," Haywood said.

A challenge to the Divine Nine

With its donation of 750 items, the Orangeburg chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is challenging other Greek-letter organizations in the Divine Nine to join the effort and help Pack the Pantry at SC State.

The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The organizations have longstanding traditions of scholarship, service, leadership and community engagement.

Delta Sigma Theta is calling on its fellow Divine Nine organizations to collect and donate food, personal hygiene products, laundry supplies and other necessities to help ensure SC State's pantry remains stocked for students.

Bulldogs support Bulldogs

Delta Sigma Theta's contribution is part of a broader effort to stock the pantry with items students need throughout the academic year.

The SC State University National Alumni Association is supporting the Pack the Pantry effort with an alumni collection event Saturday, Sept. 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. in front of Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Alumni are encouraged to bring food, snacks, toiletries and other necessities to help stock the pantry for SC State students. Supporters also may purchase needed items through the Bulldog Pantry's Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly to SC State.

Financial donations to support the effort may be made at https://scsu.edu/give/index.php.

Located in the Bulldog Den beside the Lewis Building, the pantry is operated by members of the SC State Student Government Association. Students may receive up to five free items each week from an inventory that includes food and snacks, toiletries, health and wellness products, feminine hygiene products and personal care items.

The pantry is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday