Cold temperatures, lightning, thunder and heavy rain didn’t stop Phi Beta Sigma fraternity from completing its community service project Wednesday and today.

Wednesday at 6 a.m., members of the fraternity set up camp in the foggy darkness south of the Campanile for their 24-hour sleep out for the homeless. The fraternity collected clothing and food items to be donated to homeless shelters in Des Moines.

“This is community service at its best,” said Lawrence Johnson, member of Phi Beta Sigma.

The men slept in cardboard boxes from local appliance and furniture stores and covered them in plastic and duct tape to protect them from the weather.

“We have blankets and sleeping bags to keep us warm,” said Johnson, senior in psychology.

Throughout the day, passersby stopped to talk and offer help, he said.

“During the day, people just stop to make sure we’re here,” Johnson said. “Then they come back later in the night with things to donate.”

This is the fifth annual sleep-out for the Kappa Gamma chapter of the fraternity.

“This is a statewide project,” said Richard Freeman, adviser for the fraternity. “Sigmas all across Iowa do this sleep-out.”

P’Angela Haynes, sophomore in religious studies, said she will donate some items to the cause.

“This is important, because we are helping people who are less fortunate,” Haynes said. “I’m always for helping the black community.”

This is the first time Harrison Zanders, member of Phi Beta Sigma, participated in the event.

“I’m trying to experience this to the fullest,” said Zanders, junior in sociology. “I didn’t even bring food. I just eat what people bring me.”

Members of other black greek organizations brought food and other items to help keep warm.

“Last year, we brought them cappuccino and donuts,” said Aisha Martin, senior in microbiology. “I’ll come back later on tonight to bring them some cocoa or something.”

Freeman, adjunct instructor in electrical and computer engineering, said this is a good time to collect items in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“A lot of people are donating to the Red Cross for the disaster relief,” Freeman said. “But they forgot about the people who go through these hardships every day.”

Zanders said by experiencing the sleep out, he knows what it feels like to live on the streets.

But, as Freeman pointed out “at the end of the day, we all have a home to go to.”