![\"Stevie's](\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FoodTruck-12-1000x666.jpg\")
\u201cIt fit all of our goals,\u201d said Molle. \u201cIt could be used for recruitment, athletics events and especially for community events. It would be seen as the university being in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Molle took the idea to University Dining and they loved it, as it had been something they had wanted to do in the past. She worked with Marty Kalepp, associate director of University Dining, to research the food truck industry and costs and create a business plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI gave it everything I had, hours upon hours every week,\u201d Molle said. \u201cWhen it came to proposing the project, I was hoping for a yes because I could see how well it would fit into the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After months of work, the proposal came in front of university senior leadership in March 2022. The concept won them over and was approved. Funds for the purchase were set aside by the university for this expansion opportunity that serves the campus community at large and increases future revenues. It also functions with low overhead costs as it only requires a few University Dining employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStevie\u2019s food truck means a great deal to me and the entire University Dining staff,\u201d said Kalepp. \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting opportunity for us to share our culinary talents with our friends and neighbors on campus and in the community. It\u2019s also a perfect example of how University Dining is focused on listening to our students\u2019 ideas and helping make these ideas a reality.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stevie\u2019s food truck made its first appearance in a soft opening for guests parking at UW-Stevens Point for the U.S. Senior Open hosted by SentryWorld last month. It debuted off-campus at the Stevens Point Brewery Point Patio on Friday, July 21, and on Saturday, July 22, at the Rosholt Bike Fest in downtown Rosholt. Future locations and appearances are available at the food truck website<\/strong><\/a> and on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUW-Stevens Point is excited to share its excellent dining services with the community and bring the Pointer spirit to a variety of events,\u201d said Chancellor Thomas Gibson. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing Stevie\u2019s food truck at our campuses and our region\u2019s concerts, festivals and celebrations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stevie\u2019s will offer a robust menu rotation from snacks and beverages to full course meal options. It will make appearances at outdoor community events, Pointers Athletics events, Homecoming and other UW-Stevens Point activities. The food truck is also available to rent for private parties, such as future Pointer graduation celebrations, neighborhood gatherings, festivals, weddings and alumni events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Molle, the fellowship was truly a learning experience. \u201cI learned how to deal with the unknown \u2013 figuring out the steps of approval, who to call next and where to go next. It has given me the confidence to lead big projects, now that I am in the workforce. I have a mindset of how to keep moving and how to switch gears. I learned that projects aren\u2019t always linear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n