Sorority women spent this past Thursday afternoon smashing watermelons for the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity's annual Watermelon Bash, benefiting the Tarrant Area Food Bank. 

The Watermelon Bash raised both food and funds for the organization. There were philanthropy opportunities throughout the week, including a canned food drive, a benefit dinner at Potbelly’s on Tuesday and a field day event on Thursday, Lambda Chi Alpha President Caten Hyde said.

Eleven Panhellenic sororities competed in the field day event on as well as Eta Iota Sigma sorority.

The field day raised money for the Tarrant Area Food Bank, but organizations also competed throughout the week to collect the most canned food, Hyde said. The organization that won the overall event will receive a donation to their sorority's philanthropy.

There were five different events in the field day competition, including watermelon eating, smashing and throwing contests, as well as two relay races. 

“It’s a lot of fun to get all the sororities out together," Tyler Roberts, a sophomore pre-major and member of Lambda Chi Alpha, said. "Who knew what you could do with a watermelon?” 

Hyde said that in 2011, Lambda Chi Alpha contributed 18,899 pounds of food to the Tarrant Area Food Bank. He hoped everyone had a good time participating this year, and that they would raise more money than last year.

Jackie Davidson, a junior education major and member of Gamma Phi Beta, said she always enjoys participating in Watermelon Bash. She said her favorite event was the watermelon smash.

Katie Long, a sophomore pre-major and member of Delta Delta Delta, said she appreciated being able to support her team as well as Lambda Chi Alpha's philanthropy.