To spread awareness of Asian culture, diversity and increase community awareness, UNC Lambda Phi Epsilon hosted a mango sticky rice sale on Friday.
Mango sticky rice is a popular dessert originating from Southeast Asia. It is made with sticky rice, fresh mangoes and coconut milk.
Lambda Phi Epsilon is one of UNC’s newer fraternities, which was founded in March 2013. Its mission is to inspire men to pursue a lifelong journey of personal growth and authenticity while also embracing Asian culture.
The sticky rice sale is one way that contributes to Lambdas' overall mission. While the event was predominantly designed to bring awareness to Asian culture by sharing a premium Asian dessert, it was also meant as a fundraising opportunity for the fraternity.
“It is a cultural awareness sort of event,” said Tanas Gangadhar, a junior in Lambda Phi Epsilon. “We are trying to be culturally aware — it’s an Asian dish – but at the same time, raise our presence in the community by having these sort of events, and at the same time, fundraising.”
The fraternity plans on putting the raised funds aside for future use.
“For the fundraiser, we raise money for the chapter,” Gangadhar said. “Because, right now, we are selling these, but at other events, we actually give out food for free. Certain days for Asian American awareness we give out certain dishes that are free to the public. For those events, we need funds for that.”
Some mango sticky rice sale attendees enjoyed the dish because it brought back childhood memories.
“I really like mango sticky rice,” said sophomore Daniel Hong. “I have always, whenever I go to Asian restaurants, they always have this as a dessert. As a kid, I was always begging my parents to please get this.”
