Community Support Meets Innovation - Meet United Way of Marquette County and the Next Community Tool for Marquette.
Folks in our community know what it means to look out for each other. In the U.P., it’s not just a nice thing to do, it’s necessary. Whether pushing a car out of the snow and shoveling someone’s driveway, or donating time and talent so our neighbors stay cared for, it’s the mentality of Yoopers to show up and support each other. It’s this spirit that powers the nonprofits and community organizations across Marquette County that are dedicated to serving our community members.
Among those is The United Way of Marquette County (UWMQT)–a pillar of support whose impact is quiet, yet moves mountains. With a small team of three hardworking individuals, UWMQT serves as a critical connector to community services and support available across Marquette County for individuals in need. Their specific focus is on the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) population, which includes those making above the Federal Poverty Level, but less than enough to make ends meet.
43% of Marquette County are ALICE residents.
When we spoke with Andrew Rickauer, Executive Director of UWMQT, he shared that much of our community is vulnerable to falling within that population. He noted, “One small little thing that could happen any day–it could be a medical emergency or a flat tire–instantly puts these households into the ALICE population.”
Where there is a vast need for resources and support for our community members, there are many organizations and helping hands ready to assist. And yet, funding for nonprofits is stretched more than ever before. With a growing number of individuals looking for support, gaps inevitably add to the struggle.
UWMQT’s approach focuses on bridging those gaps. With a comprehensive view of the resources available, a listening ear, and helpful staff, UWMQT acts as a conduit to direct people to the resources that can help their unique situation. As Andrew describes it, “At the United Way, we see what’s happening. We see who’s serving who, where the gaps are, what the limitations are.”
The constant pursuit of providing necessary resources and navigating the support systems that currently exist led UWMQT to innovate how to reduce hunger in our community.
Their solution is a digital platform that eliminates the hurdles that prevent traditional food donation methods from being as effective as they could be.
Those hurdles can range from a lack of options for people with dietary restrictions and transportation limitations to pick up food donations, to limited income eligibility or frequency of food pick ups. Plus, no two households are the same–in their kitchenware, access to appliances, or cooking abilities. A food donation can turn from a meal to not at all usable for a household, hinging on something as simple as access to a can opener.
Keeping households fed is not a one-size-fits-all approach, so the solutions to help our community shouldn’t be either.
“It gets the right food to the right people at the right time.” This is how Andrew describes UWMQT’s bold undertaking.
As a sort of food pantry digital marketplace, individuals who are in need of food are able to request specific ingredients, meals, or food items that their family may need. And, they are able to make requests with what aligns with their life, noting allergy restrictions, what kitchenware is available, as well as what they may already have on hand in their profile.
When someone in the community has a few extra minutes and a few extra dollars, they can view a list of items someone in the community is in need of, purchase them on behalf of the household, and even drop them off directly at their door. Just by grabbing a few extra items while already at the store and dropping them off on the way home, they can make it possible for another household to have a family dinner.
Whether you’re the one donating or the one receiving the donation, the platform greatly eliminates the barrier to entry. People who wish to keep their fellow community members fed now have a way to supply donations they can be confident will be put to good use, and those in need of donations have access to the food that they need. It creates an ecosystem of support that’s built on what’s truly needed, rather than what’s been done in the past.
Bringing a monumental idea to life requires collaborators who believe in the vision, which is what UWMQT found with Innovate Marquette. Anyone with experience in the practice knows that developing a digital platform is a tedious process that involves more trial and error than anyone cares for. Yet, throughout the development process, the focus on creating a solution that truly addresses the needs of our community has been unwavering.
“It’s refreshing to be working with people that are open-minded and willing to grow things,” Andrew remarked about his experience working with the team at Innovate Marquette.
This is only the beginning of the vision for the digital platform, which could expand to include resources such as recipes and ways to involve restaurants and food suppliers to eliminate food waste by finding places where excess food can be put to good use. When it comes to finding solutions to keep our neighbors fed and our community connected, the possibilities are endless.
UWMQT is hoping to have its platform through the development phase and launch sometime during 2026, at which point they’ll be looking to all of us to get involved.
The community of Marquette is undoubtedly unique, so the solutions to support it must be, too. From the resources and support of organizations, to the new digital platform in development by UWMQT, it all rests upon the foundation that those in our community strive to help out one another. Through a blend of innovation and respect for the values that tie us together, we can continue to discover ways to make a difference–at the right time, at the right place, and with the right resources.
To learn more about United Way of Marquette County visit https://uwmqt.org/