Laine Brost

Many of us can fall prey to pessimism, we too easily slide into the notion that one person can't begin to make a difference in today's world.

Laine Brost proves that notion wrong.

Six years ago, she helped launch Spearfish Souper Starz after friend/mentor Spencer Rossi approached her about bringing the program to Spearfish. The idea was simple and inspired by Jamie Gilcrease, who founded Souper Starz in 2017 with a vision to expand the model beyond Lead, SD. With Gilcrease's guidance, Spearfish Souper Starz was established in 2020 using the same simple formula: local restaurants donate soup, attendees pay $10 for a bowl, and local charity organizations present about a need in the community. At the end of the evening, the crowd votes as to who gets the proceeds from the door.

"There's something special about breaking bread together with your neighbors," Brost said. "In a matter of an hour, you can engage in real conversations, learn about the needs of your community, and be part of making a real difference."

The community crowdfunding dinner has proven wildly successful. In six years, Spearfish Souper Starz has raised more than $62,000 for charities and community projects across the Northern Black Hills. Brost hosts the event three times a year, during the winter months, alongside Spencer Rossi, Barb Donat, and several other volunteers, usually from the Spearfish Senior Center.

"When we started, I was still fairly new out of college and starting to plant my roots here. I wanted to start giving back to my community, but didn't quite know which organizations to get involved with," said Brost. "Souper Starz makes it easy to learn about a lot of local nonprofits and opens the door for anyone, even students, to support meaningful causes."

What excites Brost most is seeing the impact firsthand. From funding TV commercials that help foster children find families to a new dishwasher in the Spearfish Senior Center, each project is a reminder that small acts of generosity can create meaningful change.

For Brost, her work at the Sanford Underground Research Facility mirrors her commitment to the community.

"It means a lot to work for an organization that values that commitment to community. While the work we do is on a global level, SURF is made up of people who love where we live and would bleed for this community," Brost said.

One person, it turns out, can make a difference—especially when that person keeps showing up with a pot of soup and an open door.

Photo by Matthew Kapust