The spirit of giving took center stage last week as the new Women Who Give | 100 Strong initiative held its inaugural event on South Dakota’s Day of Giving. The gathering brought together women from across Marshall and Day counties for an evening focused on collective philanthropy—and ended with a major boost for one local organization.
The Marshall County Food Pantry was selected as the top recipient of the night, receiving a $9,000 gift after participants voted to award the majority of funds to the nonprofit. In total, the event raised $12,700.
Five nominated nonprofits presented during the evening: Marshall County Food Pantry, Marshall/Day County 4-H, Needs Anonymous Thrift Store (Webster), Day County Food Pantry, Knapp & Play Learning Center (Webster).
Each of the four runners-up received a $925 donation. Glacial Lakes Area Development served as fiscal sponsor for the event.
The Women Who Give | 100 Strong model, launched by local organizers Jenny Roerig, Stacey Dunse, Paula Jensen, Lindsey Kimber, and Amy Miller, was designed to unite 100 women, each giving $100, to collectively provide direct funding to local nonprofits. Plans for the initiative were announced earlier this year, with founders hoping to establish a new annual tradition of generosity.
During her presentation, Marshall County Food Pantry manager Marie Marlow outlined both the long-standing work of the pantry and its growing needs.
Marie and her husband, Russ, have managed the pantry for four years. Founded 26 years ago by the Britton Ministerium, the pantry operates under a simple mission: client need alone shall determine the assistance given.
Open every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, the pantry provides food and household necessities to residents throughout the county. In 2024 alone, it served 1,269 families, representing 4,460 individual clients.
The pantry receives no federal or state funding and operates entirely on local support. Marshall County donates the space in the Marshall County Community Building, while community members supply monetary gifts, food drives, and volunteer labor.
I n addition to weekly food distribution, the pantry holds monthly household giveaways and four major seasonal distributions: Easter, back-to-school supplies, Thanksgiving, and a Christmas event that includes both food and a “Christmas Store” where families can select gifts for each child.
Marlow noted that the pantry’s average monthly food cost is $5,850. While community support has historically kept the pantry stable, 2024 donations exceeded expenses by just over $1,100, client numbers have risen in recent months.
She said the Women Who Give award may allow them to “add a little more to the menu” each week.
After learning that the pantry had been selected as the 90-percent fund recipient, Marlow said she was overwhelmed. “I cried,” she said. “I’m very passionate about the pantry. I was elated and surprised, especially since the event wasn’t even held in Marshall County.”
Marlow praised the organizers, calling the evening “fantastic” and “beautiful,” and expressed gratitude for the women whose contributions made the gift possible.
Following the event, organizer Paula Jensen thanked attendees for creating a powerful first year for the initiative. “Your generosity through donations, acts of kindness, volunteering, and inspiring stories helped spark connection, strengthen communities, and demonstrate the power of collective action,” she said.
Jensen encouraged participants to carry that spirit forward year-round, noting that small acts of kindness and continued volunteerism can keep Marshall and Day counties “a more connected place, one action at a time.”
