The Colorado Alpha chapter of Phi Kappa Psi held a food drive from December 7- 9, 2021 to benefit Harvest of Hope Pantry, a local food pantry in the Boulder area. This philanthropy event was previously established by Brother Connor J.W. Thomson Colorado ’18. Brothers cherish the opportunity to continue this event because on the morning of December 12, 2020, Connor joined Chapter Eternal after being involved in a tragic automobile accident.

“We decided to do a food drive this year because Connor had started his own food drive when he was the philanthropy chair here at Phi Kappa Psi,” said current president Josh Fein Colorado ’20. “We even used some of the banners that Connor had spray painted and used in his first annual food drive. We wanted to carry on his legacy by making a contribution to those less fortunate than us.”

Over the course of three days and three drop-off locations around the Boulder area, the brothers collected over 4,000 canned goods, over 1,000 non-perishable food items and 450 personal hygiene products.

Here’s what some brothers had to say about the experience and continuing this tradition to remember Connor:

“The Honor Connor Food Drive is extremely important to me because for one, it’s a great way to remember our lost brother and honor the type of person he was, which was kind, caring and charitable. For two, I also think it’s such a great way to give back to the community and show that we like to help out.” – Fin Gimpel ’20

“Connor was a light of generosity wherever he went. In fact, he used to give out food to the homeless around Boulder purely because it was a good thing to do. We want to try and carry on his legacy forever and always by helping people in the community who need it.” – Nick Lalli ’20

“Connor cared more about the community than anyone I’ve ever met; the food drive emulates exactly the kind of thing he would’ve been setting up to give back to the less fortunate of the community” – Johnny Deal ’20

To learn more about Brother Thomson and Colorado Alpha’s endeavor to continue his legacy, be on the lookout for the 2021 Year in Review issue of “The Shield”.