Members of GW’s Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity chapter said they hope to collect 3,000 pounds of food for the Healthy Babies Project in their annual food drive.

“It’s one of our major philanthropic activities. We try to raise money and perishables,” said Derek Grosso, a food drive committee member.

Lambda Chi Alpha Vice President Patrick Ledesma said a number of events will be held, culminating Nov. 7 when the goods will be weighed. The food and money Lambda Chi Alpha raises will be donated to the Healthy Babies Project, an outreach program in D.C., which aids underprivileged mothers and assists them with prenatal care.

Grosso said the chapter has assisted the Healthy Babies Project in the past.

“The project told us before we’re one of their major contributors,” he said.

Ledesma said members of the chapter will trick-or-treat for food throughout Georgetown and Tenleytown Saturday. He said they collected 200 pounds of food when they went trick-or-treating last year.

The chapter also will collect canned food at the Marvin Center’s 21st Street ramp Nov. 2-5.

Ledesma said the chapter is trying to incorporate the entire University in its drive. He said the Residence Hall Association is assisting the chapter in its efforts. He said the residence hall that collects the most cans of food will win a pizza party sponsored by RHA.

Ledesma said Lambda Chi Alpha will distribute empty bags to local residents to be filled with food. Grosso added that brothers will go to the local Safeway supermarket and ask people to donate food.

Grosso and Ledesma said they are trying to increase campus awareness of the food drive.

“We’re trying to talk it up around campus with Greek-letter and student organizations,” Grosso said. “Anyone can donate food on campus.”

“We’re trying to get the support of the administrators and faculty this year,” Ledesma said.

Mark Sanet, chair of the food drive, said the chapter is looking for involvement from students.

Ledesma said the chapter collected 2,700 pounds of food last year and in recent years has collected a total of approximately 8,000 pounds of food. He said this year the chapter expects to collect 3,000 pounds.

The GW chapter is conducting its food drive in conjunction with its international headquarters and the 215 Lambda Chi Alpha chapters and colonies throughout the United States and Canada.

“It’s the biggest philanthropic event of any fraternity,” Sanet said.