Brock University’s annual United Way campaign will kick off next week with a serving of friendly competition.

The workplace campaign — which helps United Way Golden Horseshoe (UWGH) fund life-changing programs and initiatives addressing poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, mental illness, addiction and gender-based violence — begins with the Souper Star fundraiser on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The annual lunchtime event invites faculty and staff to sample and vote on soups whipped up by Brock chefs and served by Faculty Deans, with proceeds supporting the campaign thanks to in-kind sponsorship from Brock’s Dining Services partner Aramark Canada.

Employees can also support the campaign by setting up a payroll contribution through Workday or making a one-time donation through the UWGH website.

Every dollar donated will make a difference:

• Giving $25 can provide eight hot meals for women who are unhoused.
• Giving $50 can provide supplies for 12 newcomer and marginalized children to participate in a March Break camp.
• Giving $100 can provide education to help a family avoid eviction and maintain their housing.
• Giving $200 can provide six months of support and education for a family caring for a loved one living with dementia.

Faculty and staff who donate online through Workday by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28 will automatically be entered into a draw to win the early bird prize of a parking pass upgrade donated by Parking Services (subject to availability). Payroll contributions with no end date will be included in the draw.

While UWGH serves Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton and Niagara, every dollar given by Brock faculty and staff will remain local or be allocated as directed by the donor. In 2025, the UWGH supported almost 140,000 people across Niagara and more than 440,000 across the Golden Horseshoe region.

Senior leadership and staff from Brock University participated in the United Way Golden Horseshoe’s Niagara launch event on Sept. 21, pulling a fire truck weighing approximately 15 tonnes 100 feet.

Since 2003, the University’s annual campaigns have raised more than $3 million to support those in need across Niagara.

“So many of us who work at Brock also live in Niagara. The thousands of people helped by United Way every year are our neighbours, our friends and our loved ones — and perhaps even our colleagues and students,” says Jenna Moorhead, Chair of Brock’s campaign committee. “Giving back through the Brock campaign is one way we can make a lasting impact in our local community.”

Faculty and staff can also support the campaign by attending a series of lunchtime activities on campus, such as a mindfulness walk along the Bruce Trail, over the coming weeks. Details will be released on ExperienceBU.

Committee members will be available to share information about the campaign during department meetings throughout the Fall Term. Teams interested in hosting a brief United Way Campaign presentation can email Michelle Leone at [email protected]

Faculty and staff who are interested in joining the Brock United Way campaign committee can contact Moorhead at [email protected]

Visit the SharePoint to learn more about Brock’s campaign and follow the Viva Engage community for updates.