The University Pi Beta Phi sorority is holding one of the most delicious philanthropy events on campus Thursday at 7 p.m. The 11th annual all-you-can-eat “Pi Social” will raise money for the SMART elementary school reading program in a tasteful way.
Between 200 and 300 pies in more than 20 varieties will be prepared and donated for the event, which will include a women’s and men’s pie-eating contest, “Pie a Pi Phi,” where students can throw pies in sorority members’ faces, and a performance by the “On The Rocks” male a cappella group.
Cover for the event is $4 pre-paid, $5 at the door and will contribute to the sorority’s goal of fundraising $3,000 for SMART, or Start Making a Reader Today, the state’s leading nonprofit early literacy organization, according to the SMART Web site.
“Our national philanthropy is literacy, and for women seeking an education for ourselves, it’s important to promote literacy for younger students,” said University sophomore Lauren Sangster, the sorority’s pie social organizer.
According to SMART’s Web site, the organization “has served 100,000 Oregon children, given away 1.4 million books, and coordinated 2.3 million volunteer hours” since 1992.
Pi Beta Phi will be adding to its fundraising goal with student and community participation in Thursday’s events, such as the pie-eating contest, which costs $35 to enter.
“A lot of people dig their faces in it and with a berry pie slurp up the juice,” Sangster said, adding that each contestant can choose their favorite pie to inhale and that the winner will receive a prize.
Additionally, the “Pie a Pi Phi” is priced at $1 for a throw and $5 to walk up and hit a member in the face. Sangster said this is her favorite event because it’s fun and everybody can participate, but the cleanup requires hosing down the area and each other.
Marisa Strauss, a University sophomore, Pi Beta Phi member and Panhellenic vice president of philanthropy for the University Greek System, said the event is aimed at anybody in the community interested in having a good time and donating to a worthy cause.
“It’s a way we can bring our community together and reach out to the community of Eugene,” she said. “We donate a substantial amount to organizations that really need it.”
Strauss said all eight sororities and 12 to 14 fraternities (depending on the status and amount of colonies) must hold at least one philanthropy event annually in addition to their required community service.
“A lot of people write checks but don’t actually know what happens,” she said, adding the sorority also spends time going to elementary schools and reading to children for their community service.
Sangster, whose favorite pie is marionberry, said while the building has a limit on how many people can be inside, they hope to fill the lawn with guests and won’t turn people away.
“Just come and eat pie,” she said. “How can you go wrong with all-you-can-eat pie?”
Tickets can be purchased from Pi Beta Phi members or at the door of the sorority, which is located at 1518 Kincaid St. near the Knight Library.
For more information on SMART go to www.getsmartoregon.org.
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