Ruby’s Pantry will be celebrating their first anniversary on August 21st at their distribution center, 138 S Oborn St, Waupaca. In the past year over 700 families have benefited though the ministry of Ruby’s Pantry.
The third Saturday of each month families can receive a generous amount of groceries for a suggested donation of just $15. There are usually from 15 to 25 items that fill two boxes or laundry baskets. John Roe, Northeast Wisconsin Distribution coordinator for Ruby’s Pantry says that the success of the program is a result of the generosity of many different people.
” Large corporations donate the food, we pick it up with our trucks and bring it to our distribution center here in Waupaca. From there our volunteers sort the food and sometimes repack it. We have have over 175 people volunteer in the past 12 months. If it wasn’t for their generous giving of time none of this would be possible,” Roe said.
Although the Ruby’s Pantry Distribution center in Waupaca has only been here for one year Ruby’s Pantry was started over seven years ago in Pine City, MN. Lyn Sahr of Home and Away Ministries had a vision of helping people in need. From one pickup truck of food the ministry has grown to having two distribution centers, providing 24 food distributions per month and handling over half a million pounds of food each month.
In addition to the food distribution in Waupaca this center is responsible for distributions in Readfield, Clintonville and Wautoma. There are no residency requirements and Ruby’s Pantry does not do income verifications. If you have a need you are encouraged to come to Ruby’s Pantry.
The next distribution is on Saturday, August 21st. Registration begins at 8am, distribution starts at 9am and doors close at 10:30am or when the last of the people have been served.