After months of planning, the group organizing a Ruby’s Pantry food distribution is happy to announce that its first-ever event will take place Thursday, May 14 in the cafeteria at Cook County Schools from 4 – 6 p.m.
Future distributions will be on the first Tuesday of the month, but there was a conflict with a school band concert for this first event.
There has been a Ruby’s Pantry in Silver Bay for over a year, but a local group decided it was also needed in Cook County. Many Cook County residents have been traveling there to take part.
For those who don’t know what the organization does, Mary Ellen Ashcroft of Spirit of the Wilderness Church, which is the local sponsor of Ruby’s Pantry explained:
Ruby’s Pantry was developed with a twofold purpose: to help people in rural Minnesota stretch their food dollars and to lessen food waste. Around 40 percent of food in the USA is thrown out.
Ruby’s Pantry accepts food near expiration at its warehouse in North Branch, Minnesota.
From there it is trucked to various distribution sites in small towns. People gather once a month and give a $20 donation for a share—which entitles them to an abundance of food. People go through the distribution line with a box or other container and have food handed to them. (If a shareholder is given a food item they don’t want, they’re encouraged to pass it on to someone who would.)
People can purchase multiple shares. Donations help cover shipping and supplies.
North Shore Federal Credit Union and Thrivent Financial have offered financial support for some start up necessities, and an anonymous donor has also made some money available.
For more information on Ruby’s Pantry, visit: http:// www.rubyspantry.org/.
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