A kid putting food and herself in a casket is a saintly act?
Maybe I'm weird, but I feel that what ML's mother did was more bizarre than saintly.
I think those noblewomen donated because of how wrong it looked, rather than because of their generousity.
She could have used those food in her appeal or speech instead.
Also, these noblewomen must have known why they were invited that day.
Otherwise, their first reaction would not be donating.