On November 6, Marion, Indiana Mayor and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) alumnus Ronald Morrell, Jr. stood at the entrance of the Aldi grocery store in Marion, greeting families with a smile, a quarter for their shopping carts, and $100 to fill them. What began as one leader's modest effort to help 50 families affected by a government shutdown that interrupted SNAP benefits became a viral movement of generosity that would inspire communities across the country.
"Times are hard," Morrell said simply. "We wanted to bless the people."
Morrell initially committed $5,000 to cover groceries for the first 50 families, offering up to $100 per household. But as he went live on Facebook to spread the word, something remarkable happened. Family after family arrived, and Morrell stood at the door welcoming each one, handing out quarters and encouragement to those in need.
As the initial funds began to run out, Morrell made an appeal: "If you've been blessed with the means to give or hands to help people pack groceries, please come on out."
The community responded. Citizens contributed $25 to $50. Local businesses brought $5,000 to $10,000. By the end of the day, the giveaway had swelled to more than $35,000, blessing over 150 families with groceries, more than triple what Morrell had originally planned.
"This was the closest thing I've seen to a real-life miracle," Morrell posted on Facebook. "Showed up with two fish and five loaves and God multiplied on the spot, in real time. People just kept coming. I was out of money and said, 'Lord, I can't turn these people away.' More and more funds just kept coming in."
For Morrell, the outpouring of support reflected the character of his city. "There's truly no city like Marion," he wrote on Facebook. "We are setting the example for other communities to model after, showing everyone how to lead Midwest style!"
Marion may be small—about 28,000 people—but Morrell sees its size as a strength. "We're a very loving and caring community," he explained. "We wrap our arms around our citizens here and do the best we can to make sure that our people are taken care of."
The story quickly caught the attention of Indianapolis’ , which covered the event the following day. But the ripple effect extended far beyond Indiana. Mayor Dan Davis of Manvel, Texas, followed Morrell's lead, launching a similar initiative in his own community. Starting with $5,000, as of November 10, Davis had raised $17,000 to support families in need of groceries, with continued support flowing in from individuals and local businesses.
"I truly believe [Morrell] embodies what it means to be a world changer," Davis shared with IWU. "He didn't wait for someone else to fix a problem, he saw a need, took action, and led with compassion. His model reminds us that leadership isn't about titles or politics, it's about people. That kind of example challenges all of us to look beyond ourselves and serve others in tangible ways that reflect the heart of Christ."
The concept of being a "world changer" isn't new to Morrell. He first encountered the idea in a spiritual formation class at IWU in 2012. Yet, he found the concept challenging at first.
"I felt there was no way I could actually change the world," Morrell recalled. "As time went on, I came to the realization that you might not be able to change the entire world, but you can change somebody's world, and that's their entire world, right?"
That shift in perspective transformed how Morrell approached his calling to serve. "I may not be able to change all 28,000 people's lives in Marion, but if I could change 100 of them, that changes the world for somebody."
It's a message Morrell wants to share with current IWU students and fellow alumni. Being a world changer isn't an abstract ideal reserved for a select few. "It's not just a philosophical dream," he emphasized. "Being a world changer is possible. You just have to figure out how you can change the world for the people around you."
For Morrell, the grocery giveaway is an expansion of the Holiday giveaways he leads annually. On Dec. 13, he plans to host a sneaker giveaway, continuing his commitment to meet practical needs in his community.
But perhaps the greatest impact of that early November day at Aldi isn't measured in dollars distributed or families fed, it's in the example set for other leaders and communities. From Marion to Manvel and potentially beyond, Morrell demonstrated that changing the world starts with changing someone's world, one quarter, one act of kindness at a time.
At its core, Indiana Wesleyan University exists to change the world for Jesus Christ by equipping students and alumni to pour salt and shine light wherever they go. Whether you are a student, an employee, an alumnus, or a guest at IWU, we strive to bring out the world changer in you.
