By Carol Anders Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) director and board members were overwhelmed at the turnout of nearly 100 county residents Tuesday for a town hall meeting.
Director Jennifer Maddox said they had anticipated that perhaps 50 or so people would attend the meeting where the focus was on receiving community-wide input relative to the role of the foundation in identifying resources and prioritizing community needs in the areas of health care, business, education, the arts, multiculturism, volunteerism, human services and others.

Currently the MCCF has approximately $23 million in endowment funds. Interest earned from investments is used to fund a number of projects and organizations from all over Marshall County.
Board President Tammy Houin announced that the foundation is applying for a grant from the Lilly Endowment. Guest speaker and facilitator for the meeting was Jody Bentz of Bentz & Associates. She is serving as a consultant, provided by  Lilly, to the Marshall County Community Foundation on preparing the grant application that includes a 20-page proposal that must be completed by the end of December.
Bentz said she specializes in community development. She has worked with 12 other community foundations on similar projects.
According to Bentz, the critical piece of the application is community input.
MCCF Vice-President John Zeglis said, “We’ve got to do more. We are much more active than a trust fund.”
He said the meeting was not about asking participants for money, but was to prioritize the needs of the entire county.
Those in attendance separated into several discussion groups. They were asked to talk about how the MCCF can best affect or support economic vitality and community enrichment throughout the county as a whole. The suggestions from the various groups will be reviewed by the local foundation board.
Several of the participants expressed the need for a “clearing house” for people in need. Following the meeting, Maddox said Marshall County does have two sources currently where residents can go for referrals.
She said, “Perhaps it is not a matter of fulfilling the need, but communicating that it is available.”
She said the Care-N-Share located on the corner of LaPorte and Water Streets in Plymouth provides referrals and has sources for direct help. Maddox also indicated that the United Way has a telephone line that can be accessed for referrals as well. She said those in need can dial 211.
Maddox said  the Marshall County office partners with the United Way in St. Joseph County where the call center is located. She said on nights and weekends, the 211 calls are physically answered by personnel in Indianapolis who have access to information for Marshall County.