Help feed families and strengthen communities with UA Cares

On Oct. 24, about 500 students from the Eller College of Management began their weekend by helping remove roughly 3,000 pounds of trash from areas in and around the Santa Cruz River as part of the annual "Eller Make a Difference Day." This year, ambassadors from UA Cares – the university's initiative focused on community service and giving – joined the effort ahead of the launch of their own yearlong series of volunteer and charitable events.

Supporting campus and the community

UA Cares begins with the annual workplace giving campaign, which runs this year Nov. 10-Dec. 5. The effort offers faculty and staff opportunities to support any department, college, program or initiative through the University of Arizona Foundation or local nonprofit organizations through the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

"Everyone can make a difference," said Nick Hilton, director of community relations and UA Cares coordinator. "We just want people to live our university values – to bear down and step up for others."

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Based on feedback from UA Cares ambassadors from throughout the university, Hilton said this year's campaign emphasizes addressing food insecurity and family well-being. The campaign is highlighting six local giving opportunities:

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, which provides programs such as food assistance, community gardens and nutrition education.
• IMPACT of Southern Arizona, a social services organization that helps move Southern Arizonans out of poverty.
• Arizona Assurance Program, which works to increase the number of college graduates from Arizona who come from low-income households.
• University of Arizona Campus Pantry, which distributes food staples to students and employees at no cost.
• Employee Emergency Fund, which provides financial aid to employees facing unexpected emergency expenses.
• United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, which supports education, financial wellness and health initiatives.

Holly Altman, program manager in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, helped start the Employee Emergency Fund in 2012 and serves on the committee that distributes aid to colleagues in need.

"I've seen the burden eased for many university employees facing unexpected, temporary financial hardships," Altman said. "Applications for funding are on the rise, but donations have decreased significantly over the past few years, so I'm pleased to work with other supporters to raise awareness and increase donations."

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Employees are invited to take part in the UA Cares Kickoff Event on Nov. 14 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Arizona Sands Club, where attendees can hear from many of the organizations they can support. Those interested can RSVP online.

Leading the way

This year's honorary co-chairs – Julie Bell and Nicole Roldan – are no strangers to UA Cares, having both made longstanding contributions to the annual effort.

Bell, an administrative associate with Housing and Residential Life, has championed UA Cares for more than a decade, coordinating major initiatives and recruiting volunteers for United Way's Days of Caring projects. Roldan, a program coordinator with Government and Community Relations, organizes UA Cares blood drives each semester. The most recent drive, held on Oct. 24, provided blood for more than 90 patients in local hospitals.

How to give

Employees can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring payroll deduction through the UA Cares tile on the UAccess Employee homepage.

"It's flexible," Hilton said. "You can start or change your payroll deduction anytime, and if you gave last year, you can roll it over or update it through the UA Cares tile in UAccess."

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Hilton also encourages offices and units to get in on the act.

"The campaign really gives offices and employees options," he said. "Host a food drive, volunteer as a group. There's no one way to show you care."

The Campus Store is currently running a round-up campaign that allows customers to round their purchases up to support the Campus Pantry.

"Our goal is to raise funds for the Campus Pantry and make a meaningful difference," said Peter Neff, executive director of the Campus Store. "This campaign allows the campus and Tucson communities to support a program that benefits students, staff and faculty."

The round-up program runs through Nov. 22 and aims to raise $5,000.

'Not about hitting a number'

UA Cares does not end with the employee giving campaign. The yearlong effort includes UA 4 Food in the spring, which supports the Campus Pantry and Community Food Bank, and blood drives each semester.

Last year's campaign raised more than $160,000, collected over 2,000 pounds of food and helped provide blood units for more than 400 hospital patients. While increasing those totals would be nice, Hilton said the real goal is benefiting the community.

"It's not about hitting a number. Success is seeing people step up for each other and the community. That's what UA Cares is all about."