Wisconsin Welcome is a multi-week (Aug. 25-Oct. 5), new-student event to celebrate your arrival on campus. Discover Madison, meet fellow Badgers, and find your campus community at nearly 400 connection-building events.
The events below are all Morgridge Center for Public Service sponsored events in collaboration with UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Welcome.
Non-Perishable Food & Hygiene Drive
Ongoing Event: Aug. 25 to Sept. 5
Support fellow Badgers by donating non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products to stock The Open Seat, UW–Madison’s on-campus food pantry. Items like canned goods, rice, menstrual products, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant are especially appreciated. Let’s make sure every student starts the year with what they need.
Locations: Donation bins at the Red Gym, Gordon Dining & Event Center, and College Library Lobby
Contact: openseat@asm.wisc.edu
Dane County Farmer’s Market Walk
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Explore downtown Madison and the nation’s largest producer-only farmers market with fellow Badgers.
Learn about local food systems, sustainability, and community connections while sampling seasonal produce.
Morgridge Center Bingo Night
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Join us in celebrating the Morgridge Center for Public Service’s 30th anniversary with a fun and festive game of Bingo! Enjoy snacks, prizes, and community as we honor three decades of public service, civic engagement, and student impact. All are welcome—come for the bingo, stay for the celebration, and receive prizes!
Kickstart Your Campus Involvement with Service!
Badger Volunteers (BV) is a semester-long program that pairs teams of students with community organizations to volunteer 1 to 4 hours each week at the same organization. The program is designed to foster meaningful and consistent connections between community partners and students over the course of an entire semester.
Badger Volunteers provides logistical support, transportation, training and educational workshops for student volunteers in the program. Volunteer opportunities are loosely organized within five thematic areas: Urban Farming & Community Gardening, Food & Resource Security, Community Education & Afterschool Programming, Isolation Intervention & Companionship, Awareness Raising & Affinity Spaces
Registration is now open through Friday, Sept. 12.
Public Service Fair
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Looking to get involved? This is your one-stop shop. Meet with local nonprofits, campus orgs, and community partners to learn about volunteering, internships, and ways to make change. No need to dress to impress. We encourage you to treat this fair casually and drop by to explore and ask questions.
Service Opportunity: The Arboretum
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Work parties are a great way to practice ecological restoration, learn about the Arboretum plant communities, and make friends. Activities include cutting brush from remnant and restored areas, removing invasive plants, and burn unit preparation.
Tools, equipment, instruction, and refreshments are provided. Participants are advised to wear long pants, sturdy shoes, work gloves, and seasonally appropriate clothing.