University of Wisconsin-Superior students will have the opportunity to learn about health insurance, food support and housing resources at the Yellowjacket Basic Needs Fair on Tuesday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Yellowjacket Union.

“We decided we needed to do something now to assist our students given the recent changes to some of the programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” said Lynn Goerdt, professor and chair of the Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity Department. “We didn’t want our students to lose any benefits without us trying hard to reach them about these changes. Then we decided to expand the scope of the fair to hopefully connect people to other supports they need.”

The fair will also aid recovery efforts from the recent COVID pandemic.

“Many supports that were in place during the past few years are no longer offered,” said UW-Superior student Camryn Mead. “For example, everyone on Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic was automatically re-enrolled. That has now ended and everyone on the program will need to re-enroll. In addition to this change, expanded food support that has been provided to persons on SNAP during the COVID-19 pandemic has just ended, significantly reducing people’s monthly food support. The Yellowjacket Basic Needs Fair provides the opportunity for us to share with students the numerous supports and social welfare benefits that are available, and help students engage with the resources and services they may need at this time.”

Representatives from throughout the region will be available for discussion. Support covered at the fair includes Lake Superior Community Health Center, UW-Extension (SNAP), Douglas County Human Services, St. Louis County Human Services, along with UW-Superior’s Yellowjacket Food Pantry and Student Health and Counseling Services.

“UWS has students from all walks of life, whether they are international students, nontraditional students, or traditional college students,” said Mead, a double major in social work and psychology with a minor in early childhood. “Even if a student does not think they are eligible for the resources at the Yellowjacket Basic Needs Fair, I strongly encourage them to stop by – even for just a few minutes. Every person deserves to have their basic needs met; and learning about the resources available to help support these needs equips students with the opportunity to support themselves and others in our community.”