April 15, 2025

Ferris State fraternities and sororities use ‘Greek Week’ to donate 5,290 pounds of food to Bulldog Pantry

Greek Life organizations collect items to benefit Bulldog Pantry — Ferris State's Greek Life community used Greek Week activities in early April to collect items to donate to the Bulldog Pantry on campus.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

This year’s Greek Week celebration featured a great cause incorporated into the usual fun and games for members of Ferris State University’s 23 active fraternity and sorority chapters.

The students from those organizations used their Greek Week platform during the first week of April to support the work of the Bulldog Pantry on the Big Rapids campus by collectively donating 5,290 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Bulldog Pantry, which is in the David L. Eisler Center, 805 Campus Drive, on the Big Rapids campus.

“While they each have their unique traditions and missions, it is heartening to see them come together around a common goal,” said Josh Olszewski, Ferris State’s student organizations and Greek Life coordinator. “This year, the fraternity and sorority community decided they wanted to give back to the Ferris State community in the form of a food drive to the Bulldog Pantry.”

The Bulldog Pantry is a free food pantry with resources available to all currently enrolled Ferris State students. Items in the pantry include meat and dairy products, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice and more. Individuals and organizations can support the Bulldog Pantry by, among other ways, donating new, unopened and unexpired food and hygiene products.

This food drive was incorporated into Greek Week activities as teams were awarded points based on how many pounds of food they donated.

“This event proves that RSOs are stronger together and that if we put our heads together, we can do amazing things for our university and our community,” Olszewski said. “This food will sustain the pantry for a long time and help us serve many Ferris students in need.”

The Bulldog Pantry focuses on the food security needs of current Ferris State students as they work toward completing their degrees.

Ferris State has more than 220 registered student organizations, including those in Greek Life.

Click the Center for Student Involvement website for more information on Ferris State’s student organizations.