Soon, they'll be working with hammers, nails and saws. But last night, members of the Penn State Chapter of Habitat for Humanity were wielding pots and pans.

For the fourth consecutive year, the chapter hosted a spaghetti dinner at the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave., to raise funds for upcoming spring break trips. Patrons donated $5 per plate and received spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert in return.

More than 140 Penn State students will be travelling to 10 different locations next month, helping to build homes for low-income families in places such as Charleston, S.C., Macon, Ga. and Miami. All but 11 of the spring break spots have been filled, said Jeni Brake (senior-accounting), the organization's communications director.

Julie Harbison (sophomore-mathematics), coordinator of transportation and finance, said since the formation of the Penn State chapter in 1997, the number of trips has increased every year as student interest in the program continues to grow.

The annual dinner is the primary fundraiser for the spring break trips, but the chapter has other goals once the financial needs for the trips are met.

The chapter is planning to build their own house in the area in conjunction with its local affiliate, Tri-county Habitat for Humanity, said fundraising chair Amy Dean (senior-geography). She said the project will cost $40,000, which comes out to about $1 per student. Construction is expected to begin next fall.

"It sounds like a lot, but when you break it down to a dollar a student it seems a lot easier," Brake said.

Last night, however, the chapter's focus was solely on raising enough money for the spring break trips, something that the organization did not accomplish last year, Harbison said.

"We came up about $5,000 short last year," she said. "UPAC (University Park Allocations Committee) granted us about $9,400, and we didn't quite meet it."

She said they've done enough that they only need to raise about $5,000 this year.

David Maneval, a retired Penn State professor, is a regular patron at the spaghetti dinners. He comes each year to show his support for Habitat.

"I think Habitat for Humanity is a very worthy cause," he said. "When they have the annual donation, I offer my support there too."