Bemidji Women Raise Record Funds for Community Food Shelf
A fourth gathering of 100+ Women Who Care in Bemidji brought more than 150 women together on Nov. 13 and raised a combined $17,500 for the Bemidji Community Food Shelf. The pooled donations were presented on Nov. 17 and will bolster local efforts to address food insecurity, a persistent public health and equity concern in Beltrami County.
More than 150 women packed the fourth 100+ Women Who Care meeting in Bemidji on Nov. 13, and their collective $100 donations produced a record sum that will support the Bemidji Community Food Shelf. Organizers reported $16,300 was raised at the event and additional gifts brought the total to $17,500 when the check was presented to the food shelf on Nov. 17.
The event follows a simple model aimed at concentrated local impact. Attendees each contribute $100, hear brief presentations from local nonprofits, and then vote to select one organization to receive the pooled funds. The format concentrates many small donations into a single, sizeable grant, and the Bemidji meeting has repeatedly chosen different community groups in past rounds. The next gathering is scheduled for April 30, 2026.
For Beltrami County residents who rely on the food shelf, the infusion of nearly $18,000 is more than a charity story. Food insecurity is a public health issue that affects chronic disease management, childhood development, and mental wellness. Local food shelves often fill critical gaps in access to nutritious food when other social safety nets fall short. The additional funds will help the Bemidji Community Food Shelf maintain supplies, expand distribution, and respond to seasonal increases in demand.
Beyond direct food assistance, the event highlights larger systemic issues about who bears the burden of meeting basic needs. Reliance on community fundraising underscores persistent funding shortfalls in public programs and uneven access to resources across rural counties. Concentrated community philanthropy can provide timely relief, but it also points to the need for policy solutions that address income security, affordable housing, and access to health care and nutrition programs.
The 100+ Women Who Care model in Bemidji demonstrates how coordinated local giving can translate into measurable benefits for neighbors in need. Organizers and participants say they plan to continue the quarterly rhythm of meetings, and the next event in April will offer another opportunity for residents to mobilize resources and spotlight community priorities. For many residents, that local solidarity and the funds it produces are a vital supplement to long term policy changes that would reduce food insecurity across Beltrami County.
