This Service Committee develops and implemenst opportunities for staff to serve the larger community as part of Marquette’s commitment to be “women and men for others.”

The first initiative of 2023-2024 is the Holiday Giving Tree (more information below). Throughout the year we will also be supporting the following initiatives:

1. Backpack program: a free and confidential service that provides groceries and necessary toiletries to any Marquette student who is having difficulty accessing affordable, nutritious food and other essential household items. After registering in person, students will be able to shop for a few days-worth of groceries including fresh produce, frozen meat and non-perishables and additional personal products. There are no requirements to use this service and no student will be turned away. The Backpack Program is run by a small group of MU faculty, staff and students. If you have questions or concerns, please contact backpackprogram@marquette.edu

2. Women's Care Center of Milwaukee provides free, confidential counseling, support and education for pregnant women. Free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds help determine viability and dates (prenatal medical care and abortions not provided).

3. MarqKept: Each year, move-out activities generate a significant amount of waste that ends up in our landfills, causing further environmental degradation. With some simple planning, you can be part of the solution. MarKept Move Out is designed to make that process easy and accessible.
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Check out the Holiday Giving Tree in the AMU!

To show gratitude for the support of this year's giving tree, the Staff Senate has erected a holiday tree in the AMU with ornaments naming every department and every person who chose to participate. Thank you! 

More details about the Holiday Giving Tree

For more than 25 years, Marquette has partnered with United Way ensuring that hundreds of community members feel loved during the holiday season. 

Next steps for 2023-2024

United Way matched Marquette with two agencies: COA Youth and Family Centers and La Causa and Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School – Community School Partnership

Gift Tag Delivery and Gift drop off:
Before Thanksgiving, you should have received an email with a scanned copy of your tag. Please fasten your gift tag to your gift and return it with your gift. 

• Gifts should be donated and dropped off by Friday, Dec. 8th. There will be 4 drop-off stations on campus:
  Tina Aiello, AMU Spirit Shop Alumni Memorial Union, 150
  Maria Cooper, Marquette Hall 115K
  Carol Trecek, Dental School/Office of the Dean, Dental School, 192A
  

  * Also, there will be a drop-off table at Marquette’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Joan of Arc on Dec. 5^th at 5 pm.

Tracking
We will keep a spreadsheet of each person’s tag and number and will follow up with any tags not returned. Each tag not returned means one household without a gift.

Delivery of Gifts to Matched Agency:
Marquette volunteers will deliver the gifts to both agencies.

*****Gift Bags, NOT Wrapping*****
Non-profit agencies ask that their gifts are placed in a gift bag, instead of wrapped with wrapping paper. This allows them the opportunity to best match the gift with the individuals they serve. Specific wrapping information will be listed on each gift tag. 

Holiday Tree in the AMU:
To express gratitude, after Thanksgiving, the Staff Senate will display a live tree across from the information desk to display Marquette’s support of the Holiday Giving Tree. We will light the holiday tree and hang ornaments with the names of all the departments and people who participated.