A unique Stone Soup Fund to support community-university projects was launched today at the UND Center for Community Engagement annual awards luncheon and program.  Greg Hoover, director of the Grand Forks Office of Urban Development and Kelly Greenlees-Kraigbaum, nonprofit resource specialist with Otto Bremer Foundation in Grand Forks, made the announcement on behalf of the Center’s Community Advisory Board.

“Having watched some of these projects in action in the community, we know it takes a lot of hard work, skill, motivation and some financial support to carry them out,” Hoover said. Exhibits of sample projects involving community partners and UND faculty and students were on display at the awards program, and recognition was given to a number of communities, organizations, and individuals involved in projects.

The Stone Soup Fund will be used to support community-university projects with expenses of printing, supplies, travel and other expenses that go beyond the cost of normal classroom activities and most grant-sponsored opportunities, according to Lana Rakow, Director of the UND Center for Community Engagement.  The collaborative fund is named after the legend of stone soup, in which two hungry travelers start with soup from a stone and convince the townspeople to contribute what they can, resulting in plenty of soup for all.

Bremer Bank in Grand Forks took the lead as a corporate sponsor with a $1000 contribution. UND is supporting the fund with a $5000 commitment from the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Other contributions have been received from Altru Health Systems and the North Dakota Mill. Contributions will be accepted at the Center for Community Engagement, 317 Cambridge St., Grand Forks, ND 58203. Checks should be made to UND.

Other members of the Center’s Community Advisory Board are Pat Berger, president and CEO, Grand Forks-East Grand Forks area United Way; Grand Forks Mayor Dr. Michael Brown; Sheila Bruhn, chief operating officer, Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region; Kris Fehr, executive director, Western Wellness Foundation & Best Friends Mentoring Program, Dickinson; Cher Hensrud, donor services associate, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation; Mike Jacobs, editor and publisher, Grand Forks Herald; Paul LeBel, provost and vice president, UND Academic Affairs, ex-officio; Cynthia Lindquist, president, Cankdeska Cikana Community College; Sandi Marshall, CEO, Development Homes, Inc.; Duke Wm. Rosendahl, executive director, Hazen Community Development; Jason Schaefer, community member, UND alum; Bob Valeu, government affairs, Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson; and Bill Wilfahrt, president & CEO, The Chamber, Grand Forks-East Grand Forks.
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Contact:
Lana Rakow, professor and director
UND Center for Community Engagement
(701) 777-0675
lanarakow@mail.und.edu