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Ruby's Pantry, a faith-based nonprofit that ran dozens of food shelf locations across Minnesota and the upper Midwest, abruptly ceased operations Wednesday, citing financial difficulties. The food pantry’s shutdown comes at a time when thousands of Minnesotans will begin losing their federal SNAP food assistance benefits due to stricter eligibility requirements, and the need for food aid is expected to soar.

, notifying community partners and its clientele of its decision "to end operations of Ruby’s Pantry effective immediately."

“We recognize that this is difficult news to receive and do not take this decision lightly,” the announcement continued.

The statement on Ruby's Pantry’s website did not explain why the organization is shutting down operations, but a separate statement provided to the news media says “the ministry is no longer financially sustainable.”

Ruby’s Pantry had more than 80 food distribution locations across Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin, according to its website. The group would set up pop-up food distribution sites, usually in churches, serving more than 300,000 families every year.

There were no income requirements for using Ruby's Pantry's services. Each visitor would donate $25 and receive a box of food and other household necessities valued at up to $100 in return. The groceries were primarily made up of corporate donations of surplus and excess foods and other items. Volunteers staffed the pop-up distribution sites.

Many of the comments left on the organization’s various 

 expressed shock, dismay and disappointment, with some commenters expressing concerns about the impact on families that rely on the food pantry, noting that many were already struggling with rising grocery costs and food insecurity.

Brian Kreager is co-coordinator of Ruby’s Pantry Coppertop in Duluth, which has been serving families there for about 18 years. He says the financial challenges facing Ruby’s Pantry were likely exacerbated in recent months by rising costs for diesel fuel, insurance and operational expenses.

“This abrupt closure makes things difficult, and maybe hard, and only time is going to tell how that shakes out,” Kreager said. “We are prayerful and hopeful that the families served don’t fall through the cracks.”

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David Schaper

The food assistance nonprofit Ruby’s Pantry, which operated more than 80 church-based food shelf sites in Minnesota and other upper Midwest states, abruptly shut down all of it’s operations Wednesday. The organization cites financial difficulties.

Nonprofit Ruby's Pantry abruptly closes all food shelf sites in Minnesota, Upper Midwest

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