Members of Phi Beta Sigma were homeless for 24 hours to support their annual national philanthropy.

Sleep-Out for the Homeless started at 6 a.m. Wednesday and ended at 6 a.m. Thursday. Phi Beta Sigma members slept outside just south of the Campanile to collect donations ranging from money, clothing and food items for the homeless.

Deandre Stallworth, president of Iowa State’s chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Inc. and the undergraduate Kappa Gamma chapter, said the program is a way to give back to the Ames and Iowa State community.

“[Phi Beta Sigma tries] to help out any way we can,” said Stallworth, senior in industrial technology.

Members of Phi Beta Sigma participate in the homeless program every fall during the week before or after homecoming. The fall is when homeless people need support the most, Stallworth said.

“As an organization, community service is the best way to help the less fortunate,” Stallworth said.

Stallworth said in the past there has been a lot of participation in the program.

Christopher Bozeman, alumnus member of Phi Beta Sigma, said about ten alumni come back to Ames each year to participate in the program.

“We get a lot of participation from everyone throughout Ames and Des Moines,” Bozeman said.

Bozeman said broadening people’s awareness of homeless people around Ames and Des Moines is a important part of the program.

“A lot of people don’t realize that there is a problem and just because they don’t see homeless people, doesn’t mean it’s not going on,” Bozeman said.

Rob Taylor, freshman in pre-computer science and member of Phi Beta Sigma, agreed awareness is important.

“Most people don’t [acknowledge the homeless] and now is the time of year where we look at those people and give back,” Taylor said.

Contributions received through the sleep-out were donated to Youth and Shelter Services of Ames, 420 Kellogg Ave.