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Over the last year, Ruby’s Pantry has donated 2199 shares (boxes) of food in Cook County, reports Beth Kennedy, one of the lead volunteers.
At $25 per share, most, but not all, people can afford to purchase a large box of food through Ruby’s. However, those who can’t afford to pay are not turned away.
“One lady came through and dropped a $50 bill in and told me that there is a black truck in back of her and she would like to pay for them and added that they have no money,” wrote Craig Peterson, a Ruby’s Pantry volunteer. “The second vehicle in the back of her was indeed a black pick-up containing two young ladies and a couple of children in the back seat. I mentioned that maybe they could be the recipients of someone paying for their share. At that point, they looked at each other and nodded in agreement that that would be possible, so I waved them through.
“It brought tears to my eyes and still does days later as I write this. I wish all volunteers could have witnessed this kindness.”
Peterson is one of about 60 people who roll up their sleeves and turn out to put on a Ruby’s Pantry event, said Kennedy. The volunteers meet every second Tuesday of the month at the High School and work in shifts, some unpack the truck, some create boxes of food, and some bring the shares to people waiting in vehicles. “We have a need for strong men and women but also lighter work for people too!” Kennedy said.
Over the years, being outside collecting for the shares, said Kennedy, “I have put in 3-4 poker chips in the bag each event as a way of counting the people who cannot afford to pay for a share. Sometimes there were no chips in the bag at the end of the night, but last Tuesday, I am guessing that there were 10-12 chips representing people in real need.”
With inflation eating away at family incomes, food scarcity is growing in Cook County and across the country. In June 2022, according to the Urban Institute, 17.3 percent of adults reported food insecurity.
Sponsoring Ruby’s Pantry in Cook County is the Spirit of Wilderness Episcopal church.
There are no income or residency requirements to get food from a Ruby’s Pantry pop-up event. However, donations are always gratefully accepted to help those in need. If you want to donate, send a check to Ruby’s Pantry P. O. Box 5 Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Your $25 donation covers trucking, gas, and warehouse staff costs.
How did Ruby’s Pantry start?
In the past twenty years since the first Ruby’s Pantry was held, there are now 82 locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with more than 9,500 volunteers serving each year.
Ruby’s Pantry partners with food companies, distributors, and producers to get surplus and overages. More than 100 kinds of foods are gathered and distributed to their warehouse distribution centers.
Ruby’s Pantry is named after Ruby A. Flodin who lived to the age of 89 in western Wisconsin. Although she had little money, she was known in her community to share food and finances with anyone who needed help. She raised food in a garden and picked berries and canned berries. She never quit giving to others. Now that Ruby’s gone, it’s your turn to help those less fortunate than you.
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