AKA chapter's pop-up 'shop' helps needy

“Service To All Mankind”, is what they stand for and this day was no different as the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.’s Omega Mu Omega chapter opened a free pop-up shop for the community covering everything from clothes, shoes, household appliances, coats, luggage and non-perishable food items.

The women of Omega Mu Omega chapter, led by attorney Jacqulynn Hugee, thought of everything those in need should have in order to survive living on the streets, living in a shelter or just having to do without.

The 84 members of the chapter donated more than 5,000 items for adults and children and set up in Zion Baptist Church at Broad and Venango streets.

More than 500 people visited the Great Green Ivy Community Giveaway and walked away thanking the members for helping them get through some difficult times. Event chairwomen, attorneys Tina Lawson and Erica Bazzell May, were excited they could help so many people.

“This is the first time our chapter has held an event like this where so many people benefitted at one time. We felt good that we were able to give people what they truly needed,” Lawson said.

Omega Mu Omega chapter sent a call out to all members to donate new and gently used items that people needed in order to function day-to-day.

The chapter announced to community groups, surrounding churches, and shelters that they were more than welcomed to come to Zion and help themselves to all they could carry.

The left over items were donated to two other churches to use for their neediest members. Additional items will be sent to the needy in Haiti and Burkina Faso, Africa.