THIS COULD BE YOU. You can't win if you don't play, but no pressure! Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI) is hosting several meat raffle events featuring goods from local vendors (and locally-designed merch, pictured) in order to fundraise.

If the phrase “meat raffle” isn’t enough to grab your attention, this event series' bright pink T-shirts will! Hosted by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI), the raffle series' merch designs play on small-town love for grub with a contemporary twist – but the goal of the series is a bit more serious: raising money for DECI operations.

Held at a slew of dive bar-vibe favorites throughout downtown – including Clancy’s Irish Parrot Bar (414 S. Barstow St.), The Mousetrap Tavern (311 S. Barstow St.), The Fire House (202 Gibson St.), and Leona’s Pizzeria (406 Galloway St.) – the local nonprofit recently underwent the most significant change in its 20-plus-year history: separation from the City of Eau Claire.

That formerly-intertwined relationship stood between all of DECI’s existence, until last fall. While the two entities continue to partner together in a number of ways, one substantial effect of the separation comes in the form of financial support.

Matt Pabich, owner of local gift shop Raggedy Man (215 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire) and DECI’s event and promotions coordinator, explained the group’s effort to tackle the financial shift while sticking to their mission of supporting downtown.

DECI is collaborating with a handful of local vendors to provide meats and cheeses to raffle off, including beef and pork products from Blaeser Farms (Chippewa Falls) and Deutsch Family Farm (Osseo), and cheese from Around the Farm Table (Osseo).

“As we continue to find our footing as an independent organization following our separation from the city, our funding has become less predictable,” Pabich explained. “As a result, we’re exploring fun and creative ways to increase engagement and find additional funding sources.”

After securing a raffle license for the year, DECI Executive Director Erin Klaus, proposed the idea to the group: a series of meat raffle events featuring area producers, hosted at downtown joints. The first event — held on March 30 at Clancy’s — was a hit, Pabich said.

DECI collaborates with a handful of local vendors to provide meats and cheeses to raffle off, including beef and pork products from Blaeser Farms (Chippewa Falls) and Deutsch Family Farm (Osseo), and cheese from Around the Farm Table (Osseo). Some raffle items up for grabs include steak, sausage, ground beef, and more, including the grand prize: a big ‘ol beef brisket, valued at about $75.

Funds raised at the meat raffles will go toward DECI’s ongoing work: marketing costs, staffing, keeping events affordable or free to attend, and more, Pabich said.

Lily Beez owner Jenn Linnville dishin' up the goods at DECI's first meat raffle event at Clancy's Irish Parrot Bar in March.

Matt Pabich, owner of local gift shop Raggedy Man and DECI member, designed the meat raffle series' logo and merch. "It felt right to find a vintage image of some meat and create something eye-catching with the colors and typeface selections," Pabich said of his designs.

DECI is an independent nonprofit made up of businesses and individuals with ties to the downtown and wider community. The group has been around for over 22 years and hosts a variety of popular downtown events (Grand Evening on the Bridge; Downtown Eau Claire Fall Festival; Downtown Trick-or-Treating; Haymarket Holiday, and more) as well as two grant programs in its effort to support and promote the downtown business scene.

In 2025, DECI’s funding from the city was reduced from the previous years’ $85,000 down to $50,000. To support the transition in funding, city council members approved a one-time addition of $30,000 in funds. “However, we’re uncertain about what funding, if any, we will receive from the city moving forward,” Pabich said.

So, mark your calendars: it’s time to get your meat on, for a good cause. Oh, and those kick-ass T-shirts and other merch items? Personally designed by Pabich (who has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design). Tees are available for $25 each with tote bags and dish towels priced at $15 each, and you can only get 'em at the raffle events!

Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. is hosting at least three more Downtown Dive Meat Raffle events: Sunday, May 4, from 3:30-5:30pm at The Mousetrap Tavern; Sunday, June 22, from 3:30-5:30pm at The Fire House; and Sunday, July 27, from 3:30-5:30pm at Leona's Pizzeria. The organization is in talks to host a charcuterie-themed raffle this fall as well, so keep up with DECI online for updates.