Care Packages are “So That” for UW-Stout Students

Connie Gibson with her care packages for UW-Stout students / submitted photo

By Taylor Franklin, UW-Stout Student

A small business popped up last fall near Menomonie. It is created specifically for University of Wisconsin-Stout students and their families. “So That” is a care package delivery business. Each package is themed and includes a variety of items, ready for personal delivery to students. 

Andrea Hattery, a parent of a UW-Stout student, is a repeat customer of “So That.” She downloaded Facebook just to join a Stout parent group, and found a post advertising the service. 

Hattery said she was looking to send her student sporadic care packages for his first year away at college, and was excited to see a local business fulfilling that role. Hattery emphasized the convenience for her family, explaining that she works full-time and still has children to look after at home. 

“So That” was started by former Colfax High School teacher Connie Gibson. A mom herself, Gibson recalls when her son was stationed in the military in Texas. The only times she could see him were in pictures sent by another mom, the Cookie Mom-ster. This was a mom near the military base who received orders for cookies. This mom hand-delivered the cookies to the soldiers, then took a picture for the parents back home. 

Ordering a “So That” care package also means receiving a picture of the student with their gift. Packages are hand-delivered by Gibson on the UW-Stout campus, making the experience seamless for students. 

“It’s very easy. She texts him, he goes and picks it up, and she sends me a picture of him holding his basket with a big smile on his face every time,” Hattery said. She expressed gratitude for Gibson’s delivery verification texts, so she does not have to rely on her son’s confirmation that the order was received. 

Gibson said it is impactful to see students’ happy faces upon delivery. She also said no pictures of students are posted without consent, and address labels are always covered in photos. 

The contents of the care packages are selected with young adults in mind, incorporating input from Gibson’s college-aged family. Boxes have included items such as socks, pens, sticky notes, candy, and even cups of soup. Gibson curates care boxes themed for the start of the school year, fall season, Valentine’s Day, and exam time. 

“So That” always makes a point to provide customization to the care bundles when requested, she said. She offers multiple tiers of packages at various price points, providing options to suit different students. 

While the business is currently small, she said she might develop a delivery team in the future. 

Gibson said she adds gift cards for local businesses to baskets. Hattery and her husband said they appreciate the gift cards for helping their student explore Menomonie. 

To place an order with “So That,” reach out to Gibson through email or social media to receive an order form. Current options can be viewed on her Facebook page, and Connie Gibson can be reached by email at gibsonconnie1986@gmail.com.