LBCC President Puts Pie in SLC Vice Presidents' Face

Greg Hamann and Jeff Lehn

Last Wednesday the courtyard at LBCC became a spectacle for bystanders as the president of LBCC, Greg Hamann, put a whipped cream pie in the face of Student Leadership Council's Vice President Jeff Lehn.

For the first time joint efforts between Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges, and SLC's Linn-Benton Lunch Box program organized a fundraiser and the $303 raised was split among the two organizations.

During the two weeks of sales the tickets were put into a coffee can to be pulled at random. Tickets were sold to students and faculty for $1 each or $5 for six. Each ticket was a chance for the purchaser's name to be selected to put a pie-in-the-face of a volunteer.

Lehn was a volunteer to "get pie'd." Hamann was the ticket selected to dish out the pie. Although he was apprehensive at first, the crowd assured him it was all in good fun and he stepped up to the plate.

Jeff Lehn draws name from coffee can.

"It was an honor to have Greg pie me in the face," said Lehn.

With all fun aside the fundraiser earned money for a serious cause.

LB Lunch Box started about seven years ago and is a student funded program that provides food for families in need. It's a free, no-questions-asked service for students to pick up food three times a term.

The program is designed to feed families up to eight and follows nutritional guidelines. Depending on the size of the family those using the service get a certain number of canned and packaged foods on each visit. Generally the selection will last their families three to four days.

"We understand it's hard for students that don't have a job and don't know where their next meal is coming from," said Lehn.

By Lehn's estimate 60-70 percent of the students taking advantage of LB Lunch Box are young married parents.

Students interested in picking up food from the SLC office simply need to provide their student identification number. No other criteria is required.

Ginger Peterson, advisor for Phi Theta Kappa, sold a big portion of the tickets for the fundraiser.

"I probably sold close to 100 tickets. [Half] goes to the LB Lunch Box and that's awesome because it helps students in need."
For those wanting to donate to LB Lunch Box there are two locations on campus. One is by the Learning Center in a small cardboard box and the other is at the SLC office.

LB Lunch Box also offers an alternative to paying late fees at the library. Students who would rather pay their fines in canned foods can donate up to $10 of their fees owed in food. One can equals $1.

According to library attendant Bill Thomas an average of 10 to 15 cans are donated to pay off fines in a given week. However, towards the end of the term he estimates closer to 15 to 20 per day.

"I'm glad we do it, we're not here to make money off the students," said Rachenda Hawkins, librarian and department chair.

Other money raised for LB Lunch Box comes from the Hot Shot Cafe on campus. Proceeds from the student-run cafe are donated to LB Lunch Box after utility bills are paid.

"It's actually a self-sufficient business," said Lehn.

Students seeking a caffeine fix that goes to a good cause can contribute to a future meal for peers at the Hot Shot Cafe.


-At a Glance-

Fundraiser: Phi Theta Kappa and LB Lunch Box
LB Lunch Box Program: Free food for families up to eight, three times a term
LB Lunch Box Requirements: Student Identification
Get Involved: Pay LBCC library late fees with canned food
Donation Drop Boxes: Learning Center and SLC Office