While Cinco de Mayo is still weeks away, members of a Creighton sorority held a fiesta of their own in order to raise money for their philanthropy partner.

The sisters of Pi Beta Phi held a fundraiser called “Pi Beta Phiesta” at Qdoba where one dollar from every entrée purchased between 5-10 p.m. would go to the Pi Beta Phi Foundation and First Book.

“Pi Phi has always been very concerned with literacy,” Arts & Sciences sophomore Jessica Arndt said. “This is why our national philanthropy is First Book, which is an international nonprofit organization that provides children in low-income families with their first new book that they are able to read and keep.  Since the beginning of the partnership between First Book and Pi Phi in 2007, over $1 million and 2 million brand-new books have been donated.”

The event raised just over $300, meaning over 300 people came to Qdoba specifically to support the sisters of Pi Phi.

The event was held on a sunny and warm Sunday afternoon, so many Creighton students were able to make it to the fundraiser.

“I attended the event because my roommate is a Pi Phi and said the proceeds were going to help teach kids to read,” Arts & Sciences senior Justine Bucy said.

During the dinnertime rush, lines were out the door to be able to purchase Qdoba and help out.

“My favorite part was seeing all of the people that came out to support First Book and the Pi Beta Phi Foundation,” Arndt said. “At times, the large amount of students present made it hard to find an open table.  Normally that would be a problem, but in this situation, it was quite the opposite.”

With so many Creighton students in attendance, the fundraiser became a way for people to help out others by simply eating dinner and also to socialize.

“My favorite part of the event was running into people I wasn’t expecting to see and seeing people who I never see on campus because we have different schedules,” Bucy said.

People left Qdoba with full stomachs and light hearts.

“We had an awesome turnout and we want to thank everyone for coming and supporting us,” Arndt said.