Double Hoo turns local treats into care on Grounds

January 15, 2026
Michelle Katstra carrying a gift and balloon on grounds

Michelle Katstra is the force behind Gifts on Grounds, curating and delivering care packages to University of Virginia students all over Grounds. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)

Simple comforts – be they fresh pastries from MarieBette, cold-pressed juices from Corner Juice or a surprise box of birthday cupcakes – can help ease the stress of exams and assignments. Providing those comforts is Michelle Katstra’s business.

Katstra is a double Hoo whose business, , is turning local commerce into a love letter to the University of Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in French at UVA and master’s in teaching. She and a friend founded Gifts on Grounds in 2022 with a simple mission: to bring joy to UVA students and the Charlottesville community.

The company also supports small businesses in Charlottesville, including several that were struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic. Katstra regularly communicates with small business owners to curate different care packages for students. Gifts on Grounds currently works with 16 businesses.

Katstra looking to deliver a care package to a student on grounds.

Parents can order a care package through Katstra’s website for birthdays, exams, illnesses or just because. All items are picked up fresh, including goods from small Charlottesville businesses. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)

“We partner with local businesses, and it’s been amazing to meet the owners and build relationships with them,” Katstra said.

For Katstra, Grounds isn’t just a place of business; it is the backdrop of her life. Her husband has worked at the University since the day he graduated from UVA, and their three children all attended UVA, either as undergraduate or graduate students, including a fourth-year student son.

Katstra’s deep UVA connection has allowed her to operate her business in a highly personal way. In addition to constructing each care package, scheduling bulk orders for items, and coordinating deliveries herself, Katstra makes sure to send a picture of students receiving their gifts to the senders. She also handwrites notes from senders to accompany each gift.

“There’s never a disappointed student when they receive a package. Seeing their faces is extremely rewarding,” Katstra said. “Running this business has added another dimension to the love and passion that I already have for the University.”

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During exam seasons and holidays, Gifts on Grounds prepares for a steep increase in orders. In these peak times, Katstra faces the challenge of delivering a nearly overwhelming number of orders in a short time. The business will begin accepting Valentine’s Day care package preorders at the end of January and will be preparing for final exam week at the end of April.

“One time, we had 100 orders to deliver for finals, and we did it in one day. After that, for the larger deliveries such as during exam week, we shifted toward a couple of pick-up location options because it’s just not sustainable to go back and forth that much in such a small amount of time,” Katstra said.

Following her original business model, Katstra intends to find another parent to help with packages. For now, it’s just her.

While Katstra manages the logistics – often personally delivering every package – she has turned to current students to help her business evolve. Through Enactus, a global organization operating through the McIntire School of Commerce, a team of five students assists Katstra with tasks such as rebranding the logo and optimizing social media marketing.

UVA student posing for a picture after receiving a care package.

For each delivery, Gifts on Grounds takes pictures of students receiving their gifts for senders to see. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)

“It’s a mutual learning and teaching relationship, and it has been life-changing,” Katstra said. “I teach them the nuances of running a business and they serve as collaborators on the website and advisers on marketing strategy.”

Katstra is in the process of acquiring a summer intern through the Internship Placement Program at UVA to further her business mentorship while gathering more help for her growing customer base.

“Walking around Grounds brings back all the memories of my good times at UVA and all the friends and connections I made,” Katstra said. “Being on Grounds all the time is a gift, just to be able to be still connected to UVA in this way and constantly build relationships with the current administration and students.”

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Mike Mather

Executive Editor University Communications

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