CLEVELAND — Given the economic impact the pandemic is having on families, the need for food assistance is greater this year than in previous years.

The Zeta Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. stepped up to be a part of the solution with its annual Christmas basket giveaway, which provided food baskets to those in need.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 600 baskets were made, which will feed nearly 4,000 people — more than ever before

  • The chapter has been conducting the Christmas basket giveaway for more than 30 years

  • This year, precautions were taken to make sure all volunteers were able to safely participate

This year, the fraternity made over 600 food baskets — enough food to feed nearly 4,000 people.

“We definitely believe in service. Last year we gave 530 baskets, we have upped it to 625 because (of) the COVID pandemic," said Kendrick Jackson, the president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. "So many people are in need. And we’re trying to make a way that they can have something to celebrate for Christmas. They can have some food for Christmas and the holiday season. So, this is something that all the brothers look forward to.”

Boxes of food for fraternity's annual Christmas basket giveaway

The fraternity has held their Christmas basket giveaway for more than 30 years.

This year they took extra precautions and asked one of its partner organizations, Black Nurses Rock – Cleveland to help out.

They took temperatures and provided face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.  

The fraternity packaged the baskets in the Ginn Academy’s gymnasium.

Members of fraternity unload truck for food basket giveaway.

One of the fraternity's major cardinal principals is to uplift and give back to the community, said George Purefoy, a member of the Fraternity since 1946.

"We get great pride and joy in doing it,” Purefoy said.