UWSC welcomes families for community picnic

Nothing brings people together quite like food.

Community members of all ages gathered Sunday afternoon in Fairgrounds Park for the second annual United Way of Steele County picnic, drawn by the promise of sizzling hot dogs and other summer picnic staples.

Volunteers kept the food coming, with 200 hot dogs available to feed anyone who showed up.

The picnic originated last year as a way to celebrate UWSC’s 70th birthday with the community.

“We had such a great response from the community that we said why not just have this family picnic every year, invite the community to celebrate everything that we’ve been able to accomplish together,” said President Annette Duncan.

Duncan said the picnic is another way to reach people and offer resources like free children’s books, in addition to maintaining a presence at community events throughout the year. Community Pathways of Steele County was also available at the picnic to meet with visitors and share resources.

Last year’s picnic was held in Morehouse Park. Duncan said UWSC plans to rotate through Owatonna’s parks year after year to reach different neighborhoods in the community.