The 43rd annual Pfenning Bazaar started on 14 October 2011 with speeches by the Corinne Walker, the German president and Laurie Menzel, the American president of the German American Womens' Club and Stuttgart Army Garrison Commander, COL. Carl Bird.
The bazaar is a fund raiser and community service project that is coordinated throughout the year. This year's event required more than 500 volunteers and more than 16,000 volunteer hours.
Laurie Menzel said that the event gives low income residents the ability to buy clothing and household items at affordable prices.
All profits after event expenses have been covered will be donated to local German and American community charities. This year the German American Womens' Club expects to donate more than $100,000 to local community charities.
Some of the charities benefited include, but are not limited to Army Community Service, USO Stuttgart, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Schools, Boys and Girls Scouts, Bundeswehr Sozialwerk e.V, Federation of German American Clubs Student Exchange, Hans der Familie in Stuttgart, e.V. and Vesperkiche.