Gwen Tefft figured operating a concession stand this summer would be a fun and productive way for Kappa Alpha sorority to serve the community.
And it has.
“But I think it’s been just as rewarding for us members,” Tefft said.
Kappa Alpha, a local branch of the national Phi Tau Omega philanthropic sorority, has used the proceeds from its summer ball concession stand at Riverside Park to assist a number of local charitable endeavors.
The sorority makes monthly donations to Hope Unlimited, the Pregnancy Resource Center and the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility, and when school resumes, the St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church “Backpack Kids” project, which sends needy students home for the weekend with enough food to see them through.
In addition, Kappa Alpha assists a number of local cancer patients with money for gas or other needs when they must travel out of town for cancer treatments.
“There’s a lot insurance doesn’t cover,” Tefft said. “We want to help in any way we can.”
WITH AT least 16 members who attend the monthly meetings, Tefft, et al, had several willing to man the concession stand during the hot summer evenings, while baseball and softball games were ongoing nearby.
“We tried to rotate everybody, so nobody had to do all the work,” Tefft said. “It’s been great. We’ve teamed up members who normally wouldn’t get to spend much time together. And we’re not so busy that we can’t sit down and visit.”
One of the sorority’s mandates was that the concessions be of high quality, so members routinely bring in such foods as pulled pork, nachos and hot dogs.
“Not just candy bars and popcorn,” Tefft said, although those menu items also are available.
The key, she said, was to be able to provide a full meal for a few dollars.
“It’s gone very well,” she said.
TEFFT had one surprise this year.
