The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, Buckeyes Give Back and the Buckeye BBQ Qlub are attempting once again to put on the World’s Longest Barbecue.

The World’s Longest Barbecue kicked off at noon Monday in the South Wexner Plaza and will be running 24 hours a day until noon on May 23.

Though the students running the event plan to break the record for the world’s longest barbecue, it is not registered with the Guinness Book of World Records.

“Rather than take the $8,000 to bring them out here to make it official, we’d rather donate that money to the cancer research,” said Ben Wallace, president of OSU BBQ and Buckeyes Give Back. “Last time I checked, the record was four days. Our barbecue will last for seven.”

This is the fourth time the three groups have jointly hosted days-long barbecues, said Jon Fish, an event organizer and a third-year in finance and economics. They put on four-day-long barbecues the past two falls and a seven-day barbecue last spring.

The barbecue will benefit the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Center, as well as Keshet, an organization aiming to help developmentally disabled individuals, according to keshet.org.

“Last year, we were able to raise about $25,000, and this year, knowing how to execute it logistically, we’re looking to raise $50,000 for our charities,” Fish said.

The brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi and the grilling team of the Buckeye BBQ Qlub staff the barbecue that is ready to feed everyone, rain or shine for the next seven days, said Andrew Weiner, an event organizer and a third-year in finance and accounting.

To go along with the traditional barbecue food such as hot dogs or burgers, there will be specials throughout the week, Weiner said.

“For instance, we’ll have pulled pork sandwiches, breakfast in the mornings. We’re doing tacos one day,” Weiner said. “Thursday, we’re even trying to collaborate with the farmer’s market in the Wexner Plaza to see if we can offer something with them.”

There will be nightly music, a comedy night and two eating contests, Weiner said.

Though there is no specific price for each item, there are suggested donations usually ranging from $1 to $5, Fish said. They will accept credit or debit donations via iPad and all are encouraged to stop out.

“It’s relatively cheap food, and it’s delicious,” said Ryan Volpe, a third-year in industrial engineering. “Everyone loves food and will be willing to pay because it’s for a good cause.”