In support of the Weber Cares Food Pantry, the Greek community is hosting a casino night food drive Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union.

“It’s a way to get a whole bunch of people together to have fun and to support the food pantry,” said Breeanna Huntsman, a pledge in Delta Chi Nu. “If you just have a food drive, people will do it, but we won’t get as much. This is a way to make it fun.”

Although the Greeks are hosting this event, anyone is welcome to attend. Students will get 10 chips for every can of food they bring. The more cans they bring, the more chips they will get, and the better their chances of winning will be.

At the end of the night, students can turn their chips in for raffle tickets to win all sorts of prizes, from gift cards to iPods.

The evening will have a Wild West theme. Students are invited to dress up and make the casino night feel even more authentic.

Brendan Woodhall, the philanthropy chair on the Greek Council, said the food pantry needs a lot of help this time of year and is glad that the Greek family on campus can help support this organization. The Weber Cares Food Pantry, on the fourth floor of the Shepherd Union, provides both bags of food and vouchers to students in need.

“Its beneficial to give back to the community and give back to the university,” Woodhall said. “I’ve had friends that have had to go the food pantry, and so I’ve personally seen that work. It supports our fellow students and that’s why we want to give back to that.”

Some of the students receiving the help are parents supporting families, and that also is motivating some on the Greek Council.

“We are seeing poverty and people need help feeding their families,” Huntsman said. “And even though we are having fun and gambling, we are really supporting our society, which, I feel, like makes this a better place to live.”

Casino Night sponsors include Premium Auto, Goodwood Barbecue Company, Little Caesars and Wing Nuts.

“The overall idea is to get involved with community, seeing a problem and fixing it,” Huntsman said. “People need help, and even though we are having fun, we are really supporting our community.”