Volunteers cheerfully helped pass out the “abundance of food” distributed at Cook County’s first Ruby’s Pantry event at School District 166. Although the line of nearly 400 people was long, it went fast and no one seemed to mind.
The first-ever Ruby’s Pantry food distribution went extremely well, with nearly 400 people lining up at School District 166 to take part. The line to register started by the Sawtooth Elementary School gym and wound through the school and nearly out the playground door. No one seems to mind the wait as neighbors visited with one another and new friends were made.
Any concern that Ruby’s Pantry wouldn’t work in Cook County seems to have been relieved. However organizers did hear some questions about how Ruby’s Pantry works—and how it impacts the county.
Reverend Mary Ellen Ashcroft of Spirit of the Wilderness Church, which is sponsoring Ruby’s Pantry, explains, “Ruby’s Pantry’s delivers donated food to around 60 Minnesota and Wisconsin rural distribution sites. The purpose is threefold: to extend food dollars, cut down on food waste and build neighborliness as people come together at the distribution.”
Participants in the Ruby’s Pantry food distribution are asked to bring their own coolers, bags or boxes to receive an “abundance of food.” If the food received is too much for guests to handle, volunteers are standing by with carts to help carry.
Ashcroft explained that guests give a $20 donation to Ruby’s Pantry. Of that, 90 percent goes to Ruby’s Pantry to pay for trucks, drivers, and a few support staff.
The other 10 percent stays in Cook County—some goes to the school for building use, some to buy supplies such as plastic bags and freezer blankets to keep food frozen. “Any other monies will be put back into the community to help support other food related programs,” said Ashcroft.
Some concern about how Ruby’s Pantry will affect local grocery stores was heard. Organizers at other distribution sites have found that people continue to spend at the same rate, but often are able to buy different items, such as fresh produce. For example, at last week’s distribution, guests received ready-made pizza crusts—but no tomato sauce, cheese or pepperoni. To use their Ruby’s Pantry food, more food is needed from a local grocery store.
For more information, visit the Ruby’s Pantry website at www. RubysPantry.org or the Cook County Ruby’s Pantry website.
Future food distributions will be held at School District 166 on the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with distribution. If you’d like to help, email Barb Spaulding at lbspaulding@boreal.org.
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