Feed My People Food Bank and its board of directors have recognized the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) and Chippewa Valley Technical College as recipients of the Organization of the Year awards. This recognition comes as a result of their "invaluable contributions" to supporting the food bank's mission. The institutions were acknowledged for their efforts in engaging faculty and staff, raising awareness, and providing resources to the community.
UW-Eau Claire has been noted for its strong history of community engagement, positively impacting Feed My People through various volunteer efforts. Several groups from UW-Eau Claire, including the men's basketball team and student organizations, have contributed time and effort. According to Feed My People, the university has “woven its commitment to our mission into its academic fabric.”
The food bank has also featured in UW-Eau Claire student projects and collaborations with academic departments. These partnerships have enhanced university engagement while offering real-world learning experiences for students, fostering mutual growth and support.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of UW-Eau Claire’s Campus Harvest Food Pantry, which recently relocated to a more visible spot in Davies Center. In 2023 alone, Blugolds utilized nearly 32,000 pounds of food and personal hygiene items from this pantry.
Chancellor James Schmidt expressed gratitude towards Feed My People for recognizing UW-Eau Claire's commitment to public service: "UW-Eau Claire is committed to public service and being a community leader, which is why I am so grateful that Feed My People chose to honor our team." He added that this award exemplifies collaboration power and highlights the value brought by students, faculty, and staff.
Feed My People has led hunger-relief efforts across west-central Wisconsin for four decades. Annually distributing seven million pounds of food through various partners such as community pantries, meal sites, shelters, among others; it supports over 75,000 individuals across a 14-county area around Eau Claire.
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