Beta Sigma Phi is the world’s largest women’s organization, and it just so happens to, like Harvesters, be headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. And also like us, they have a humble origin story. 

During the Great Depression, an encyclopedia salesman named Walter Ross found that many women lacked the ability not only to purchase his Book of Knowledge collection, but were unable to afford higher education, and the social/cultural benefits that come along with it.  

“I could envision for them a pure organization that would offer as much as possible of the intellectual and social experience they would have at college,” Walter wrote.  

After teaming up with local socialite Leona Schroers, the organization took off and has grown to include more than 200,000 members worldwide.  

Linda Rostenberg,  Co-Founder of the Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and editor of The Torch, their global newsletter, shared with us that one of the things that bonds these women together is their heart toward service. 

“Mostly, it just is about asking how can we make this place a better planet,” she says. “We do it in every way you could possibly think. There’s virtually not a charitable institution that hasn’t received some assistance from Beta Sigma Phi. And we’re very big on Harvesters.” 

Beta Sigma Phi has been a supporter of Harvesters since 1990, both by giving volunteer hours and generously donating more than $100,000 toward our cause. This year, they presented a $10,000 check to our BackSnack program, that provides healthy food for students to take home over the weekend when they are not in school.  

On behalf of all of the students who will not be hungry this weekend because of your generosity, thank you Beta Sigma Phi!