Posted 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2024
UWL hosting La Crosse SOUP event on Jan. 25
Community Engagement at UWL is about listening to community needs, increasing access to campus and creating connections.
The Jan. 25 partnership between UWL and La Crosse SOUP does just that.
La Crosse SOUP is a microgranting dinner celebrating and supporting creative projects in La Crosse with a mission of promoting community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, trust and fun.
“By building relationships with organizations throughout the community, UWL is able to respond to community needs like providing a space for an event, for example,” says Lisa Klein, UWL’s Community Engagement coordinator. “UWL is committed to finding opportunities for people in the greater La Crosse community to feel welcome on campus.”
The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. Anyone is welcome to attend. Attendees pay $5 at the door, which gives them soup, bread and a vote for the presenter they would like to win.
“One of the major partners in this effort is UWL Dining Services Chartwells,” Klein says. “They are graciously providing the two soups which will be served at the event.”
There will be four presenters; each will have four minutes to share their pitch. Audience members can ask each presenter up to four questions after their presentation and are encouraged to discuss with fellow audience members before casting their vote. The presenter with the most votes will receive proceeds from the event to help kickstart their idea.
“This partnership provides so many wonderful opportunities for students,” Klein says. “It’s a chance for students to learn more about microgranting and how an idea can become reality with a literal vote of confidence from community members.”
For the Jan. 25 event, audience members can expect to hear presentations from the Amara Rose Foundation, What I Need Now (WINN), St. Claire Health Mission and theExchange.
The partnership is beneficial for both UWL and La Crosse SOUP.
“By hosting this event on campus, students get to experience the passion people have for the city of La Crosse by attending an event with the sole purpose of building community,” Klein says. “It’s also a great opportunity for La Crosse SOUP to market their event to creative students who might have excellent ideas to help make La Crosse an even better place than it already is.”
For more information, visit https://www.uwlax.edu/calendar/?e=29667 or email lklein@uwlax.edu.