OXON HILL, Md. — The Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority is celebrating 116 years of service and sisterhood. The sorority, founded at Howard University in 1908, is the oldest Greek letter organization founded by African-American women.
Over the weekend, in recognition of Founders' Day on January 15, more than 2,000 members of the sorority from D.C., Maryland and Virginia gathered at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor for a fill the pantry service project. It was a collective effort to combat food insecurity among college students. Donations of nonperishable food items and toiletries were donated to the food and personal care pantries at Northern Virginia Community College, and Coppin State University.
According to the 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20), overall, 23% of undergraduates, and 12% of graduate students, are experiencing food insecurity. This means more than 4 million students nationwide are food insecure.
“I am proud of our members’ efforts to make a positive difference in the spirit of our Founders who started Alpha Kappa Alpha on a path of lifelong service in 1908,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, North Atlantic Regional Director for the sorority. “Food insecurity is a real challenge for many students; we can, and we will help.”
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