22nd Annual Giving Project to Support HMAA Rice Pantry

Today McIntyre Library kicks off its annual holiday giving project raising money for a local organization’s work against hunger in our community. 

For the 22nd year, the UW-Eau Claire McIntyre Library Staff Association, a voluntary organization composed of library faculty and staff, is sponsoring an annual fundraiser to benefit the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association (HMAA).

Funds are used to purchase rice for the organization's rice pantry. Last year the Staff Association was able to raise funds to buy over 9000 pounds of rice for the HMAA.

“In a year when many communities across the country are reporting increased acts of racism and marginalization, it is especially important to support our neighbors and let them know we value them as members of our community,” said Jill Markgraf, Head of Research and Instruction at McIntyre.

The HMAA is a social service agency that serves the local Hmong community by operating a food pantry and assisting in housing, employment and translating services. The agency also works with other area services to assist the local Hmong community.

A donation of $20 can feed a family of five or six for a month.

Donations will be collected now through the 31st of December.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made online at https://connect.uwec.edu/library by selecting Holiday Giving Project – HMAA Rice Pantry as the donation designation.

Donations can be made as gifts, memorials and tributes to someone. 

To do so, select Memorial/Tribute under What prompted you to give today.

Checks, made payable to UW-Eau Claire Foundation and indicating Holiday Giving Project – HMAA Rice Pantry on the memo line, or cash should be submitted via mail or campus mail to Jenna Vande Zande in McIntyre Library. 

Donations also may be dropped off at the library Research Center or in the donation box near the circulation desk on the first floor of the library.

For more information, see http://libguides.uwec.edu/hmaagiving  or contact Jenna Vande Zande at (715)-836-3421 or vandezjl@uwec.edu